This 'Magic' Gesture Shows This Teacher's Students That Their Birthdays Are a 'Big Deal'
While some kids look forward to their birthdays all year, anticipating gifts and treats galore, Dawn Ticarich knows that's not always a reality for every child.
Growing up, an approaching birthday would fill the now-fourth grade teacher with 'dread' because she knew it meant that in order for her day to be special, her family would have to make sacrifices.
'I could hear conversations about our water being shut off and our electric being shut off,' she tells PEOPLE. 'And my birthday is at the very, very beginning of February, which is always the aftermath of Christmastime so, I knew that it was such a burden for my family for me to have a birthday party.'
When Ticarich grew up to become an elementary school teacher, she knew one of her top priorities would be for her students to know that 'birthdays are a big deal.' And Ticarich, whose students know her as Miss T., quickly learned just how important that gesture might be.
She recalls that on the first class birthday she celebrated at her "very low income school" in West Virginia, "my heart was shattered ... because I gave the little boy a present and he took it and stomped on it because he thought it was from his mother. He had no idea that a teacher would give him a birthday present like that.'
She realized that those same feelings she had to navigate as a child, her students were experiencing as well.
That led Ticarich to start creating birthday baskets filled with thoughtful and intentional gifts for each student in her classroom, a tradition she started last school year when she moved to Utah.
Ticarich, who now teaches fourth grade, says that while her population of students might have changed, their need for a special day has not.
Even for kids without financial difficulties, she says, "what parents can't replicate is the feeling of the social connection, of being so loved and made to feel so special by a class of 22 kids of your same age,' she says. 'That can't be replicated even in the richest home.'
Ticarich started documenting her process of gathering gifts on TikTok, explaining the meaning behind the ones she chooses. At first, she paid for them out of her own pocket, but she now has an Amazon wish list for those who wish to contribute.
Her method includes sending out a parent survey, taking suggestions from the recipient's classmates, and she says, "just kind of observing what would make them feel special…I feel like you're only a kid once and kids deserve that magic. It's such a big deal to me."
She hopes that, beyond the fun of opening a thoughtful gift, the students also get a meaningful message.
Gift giving is "the one love language that I am able to do,' she says, so she's showing love by "just modeling that, making people feel like they're a big deal and helping when we can.'
During Teacher Appreciation Week, she saw just how well that message had sunken in, when her students cleaned and organized the closet in their classroom as a surprise.
'That's them showing, 'I want to do something for you and it's important to me,' " she said, sharing how rewarding it has been "watching them blossom into these people with big hearts, because I've tried to instill in them ... you're going to cross paths with people who need extra support, and it's really important that you know how to do that.'
These acts of kindness have expanded outside of her classroom and into the halls of the school with the establishment of the 'blessing closet' that evolved from including a few necessities like chapstick and hand warmers to multiple closets filled with clothes, shoes and hygiene products, and, eventually, food.
To avoid any awkwardness or embarrassment that a student might feel in taking any of the items home for themselves or their family, Ticarich said they established a "no questions asked" policy for anyone shopping in the closet. "Even if your mom needs chapstick, you can take the chapstick, or if the cashier at the grocery store needs hand warmers, you take them, a no questions asked thing,' she says. 'You don't ask why somebody's taking a comb because you don't know if it's for their neighbor.'
The 'blessing closet' has since started including bags of food for families at the school who need it.
'We just didn't tell anyone no,' she says of the growing list of recipients. While all of these initiatives first came out of pocket, she has now received so many donations that they've been able to replicate the "blessings closet" at a local Title I school.
Despite all the positivity that surrounds her initiatives, Ticharich says that she does occasionally deal with negative comments online from people who don't understand why she goes to so much trouble for her students. At first, she deactivated her TikTok in response, but "pep talks" from people in her community encouraged her to keep sharing the joy online.
" 'If you are helping one kid, why do you care?' " she recalls the PTA president telling her, adding that she began to think about the larger impact of letting others get her down. "It was a lot of people saying, 'Well, what if there was an adult in your life who did this? And then they stopped and you went without?' "
By continuing to follow her heart, she's opened people's eyes and minds along thew ay.
'I realized that there are — especially when it comes to trauma and rebuilding and restorative practices — people won't understand if they've never lived that. So I was like, I'm going to start these baskets by sharing why I do it," she says. "There have been so many people that, in the comments have said, 'Well, you checked me because I used to think this is so stupid and over the top.' I wouldn't say changed their minds, but I have made them see a different perspective.'
Read the original article on People
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Cat Wakes Owner up at 6:37 Each Morning—She Finally Realizes Why
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cats thrive on routine, and once a mealtime is established, they stick to it and ensure that everyone else stays on track, as one owner learned the hard way. Magic, the black cat, has always been demanding, the owner told Newsweek via TikTok. He'll want to go outside, then right back in. He cries for attention and food. And the thing that all the demands have in common? It always starts early in the morning. Trying to avoid the cat's early-morning wake-up call, the owner said they'll close the door to keep him out of the bedroom. But then they are just met with crying meows and scratches at the door. In the owner's TikTok video posted to the account @magicandweasley earlier this week, Magic was fed up that breakfast had been delayed. He couldn't believe the owner slept through mealtime, and when a few of his demands weren't enough, he took it to the next level by waking her up with bright lights. Magic sat in front of her mirror, which is framed by bulbs. With a quick flick of his paw, he switched on the harsh lights, bright and early at 6:37 a.m. Magic turned around, staring her directly in the eyes. His hanger—anger and hunger—did the talking; he had had enough of his owner sleeping in on the weekends. She learned very quickly that there would be no sleeping in. There was no time to adjust to the morning sun gradually with a needy and hungry cat living there. Screenshots from a June 16 TikTok video of a black cat attempting to wake up owner by flicking on the lights. Screenshots from a June 16 TikTok video of a black cat attempting to wake up owner by flicking on the lights. @magicandweasley/TikTok The owner said that, ever since Magic learned to turn on the mirror, it is all he does to get her out of bed every morning. "He goes to the room and starts to scratch the window and mirror," the owner said. "And one day, he hit the spot that turns the lights on, and now that's what he does; he scratches the mirror until he finds it." What Do the Comments Say? The TikTok clip reached over 2.4 million views and nearly 500,000 likes as of Friday. "I like your sunrise alarm clock butler dressed in black. Very prompt, very reliable," commented a viewer, while a second added: "I feel like even if you unplugged it, he would just do something worse." A third posted: "The look at you after they've done it is diabolical." From Magic's point of view, someone wrote: "Oh look at the light shining ON MY EMPTY BOWL." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
This 'Magic' Gesture Shows This Teacher's Students That Their Birthdays Are a 'Big Deal'
While some kids look forward to their birthdays all year, anticipating gifts and treats galore, Dawn Ticarich knows that's not always a reality for every child. Growing up, an approaching birthday would fill the now-fourth grade teacher with 'dread' because she knew it meant that in order for her day to be special, her family would have to make sacrifices. 'I could hear conversations about our water being shut off and our electric being shut off,' she tells PEOPLE. 'And my birthday is at the very, very beginning of February, which is always the aftermath of Christmastime so, I knew that it was such a burden for my family for me to have a birthday party.' When Ticarich grew up to become an elementary school teacher, she knew one of her top priorities would be for her students to know that 'birthdays are a big deal.' And Ticarich, whose students know her as Miss T., quickly learned just how important that gesture might be. She recalls that on the first class birthday she celebrated at her "very low income school" in West Virginia, "my heart was shattered ... because I gave the little boy a present and he took it and stomped on it because he thought it was from his mother. He had no idea that a teacher would give him a birthday present like that.' She realized that those same feelings she had to navigate as a child, her students were experiencing as well. That led Ticarich to start creating birthday baskets filled with thoughtful and intentional gifts for each student in her classroom, a tradition she started last school year when she moved to Utah. Ticarich, who now teaches fourth grade, says that while her population of students might have changed, their need for a special day has not. Even for kids without financial difficulties, she says, "what parents can't replicate is the feeling of the social connection, of being so loved and made to feel so special by a class of 22 kids of your same age,' she says. 'That can't be replicated even in the richest home.' Ticarich started documenting her process of gathering gifts on TikTok, explaining the meaning behind the ones she chooses. At first, she paid for them out of her own pocket, but she now has an Amazon wish list for those who wish to contribute. Her method includes sending out a parent survey, taking suggestions from the recipient's classmates, and she says, "just kind of observing what would make them feel special…I feel like you're only a kid once and kids deserve that magic. It's such a big deal to me." She hopes that, beyond the fun of opening a thoughtful gift, the students also get a meaningful message. Gift giving is "the one love language that I am able to do,' she says, so she's showing love by "just modeling that, making people feel like they're a big deal and helping when we can.' During Teacher Appreciation Week, she saw just how well that message had sunken in, when her students cleaned and organized the closet in their classroom as a surprise. 'That's them showing, 'I want to do something for you and it's important to me,' " she said, sharing how rewarding it has been "watching them blossom into these people with big hearts, because I've tried to instill in them ... you're going to cross paths with people who need extra support, and it's really important that you know how to do that.' These acts of kindness have expanded outside of her classroom and into the halls of the school with the establishment of the 'blessing closet' that evolved from including a few necessities like chapstick and hand warmers to multiple closets filled with clothes, shoes and hygiene products, and, eventually, food. To avoid any awkwardness or embarrassment that a student might feel in taking any of the items home for themselves or their family, Ticarich said they established a "no questions asked" policy for anyone shopping in the closet. "Even if your mom needs chapstick, you can take the chapstick, or if the cashier at the grocery store needs hand warmers, you take them, a no questions asked thing,' she says. 'You don't ask why somebody's taking a comb because you don't know if it's for their neighbor.' The 'blessing closet' has since started including bags of food for families at the school who need it. 'We just didn't tell anyone no,' she says of the growing list of recipients. While all of these initiatives first came out of pocket, she has now received so many donations that they've been able to replicate the "blessings closet" at a local Title I school. Despite all the positivity that surrounds her initiatives, Ticharich says that she does occasionally deal with negative comments online from people who don't understand why she goes to so much trouble for her students. At first, she deactivated her TikTok in response, but "pep talks" from people in her community encouraged her to keep sharing the joy online. " 'If you are helping one kid, why do you care?' " she recalls the PTA president telling her, adding that she began to think about the larger impact of letting others get her down. "It was a lot of people saying, 'Well, what if there was an adult in your life who did this? And then they stopped and you went without?' " By continuing to follow her heart, she's opened people's eyes and minds along thew ay. 'I realized that there are — especially when it comes to trauma and rebuilding and restorative practices — people won't understand if they've never lived that. So I was like, I'm going to start these baskets by sharing why I do it," she says. "There have been so many people that, in the comments have said, 'Well, you checked me because I used to think this is so stupid and over the top.' I wouldn't say changed their minds, but I have made them see a different perspective.' Read the original article on People
Buzz Feed
11 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Seriously, These 42 Before And After Pics Will Make You Do A Double-Take
A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo with a blend of botanical extracts to help thicken the appearance of your lovely tresses. Plus, since it's a clarifying shampoo, it also gets rid of product buildup on your scalp when you use it! A pack of two tongue scrapers that'll help eradicate bad breath and bacteria buildup and enhance your tastebuds to make your mouth feel better than ever. Plus, your tongue will return to its natural color with consistent cleaning! A cutlery drawer organizer, which takes up half the space of a typical silverware organizer, meaning you'll have much more room in your drawers for larger cooking utensils, wine stoppers, tools, etc. BRB, stocking up on all those kitchen trinkets I never had space for before! A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets that help get rid of limescale and odor-causing residue hiding in your dishwasher. All you do is pop it in with a regular load and then enjoy knowing you can stop rinsing that mysterious white film off your dishes after running a wash. A TikTok-famous mildly-abrasive pink cleaning paste to erase even the most difficult of stains in your home, from hard water in the bathroom to caked-up grease and food on the stovetop. Seriously, it's earned its loyal TikTok fanbase and hundreds of thousands of positive reviews for a darn good reason. A set of closet organizers designed to hold your bras, socks, underwear, and more in individual compartments, so you can see everything all at once instead of digging around forever to find something to wear (we all have a favorite bra, no judgment)! A piercing bump solution for anyone whose experienced keloids, bumps, and scars with their piercings. This will help reduce their appearance and deliver some partial relief if you can't get an appointment with your doc ASAP. An under-eye brightener designed with a lightweight, color-balancing formula infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and nourishing shea butter for a reliable coverage solution that's nothing short of practical magic. An instant mold and mildew remover spray to eliminate any stubborn splotches that you figured you just had to live with — not anymore! Forget scrubbing; just spray this on whatever surface has the stain, walk away, and do whatever else is on your agenda, and when you get mess is gone, and everything looks brand spanking new, just like magic. A cable organizer box for hiding your surge protector and all the plugs and wires sprouting from it. It's practically magic the way all your cords just disappear and your space is decluttered! An under-$5 lengthening mascara because who wants to deal with wearing falsies when you can get an equally voluminous look with a few swipes? This cruelty-free mascara boasts a long-lasting, sweat-resistant, flake- and clump-free formula, so you can bat those lashes without any worries. A Clorox Toilet Wand Starter Kit designed to kill bacteria and viruses lurking on the inside of your porcelain throne. Simply pop on one of the refill sponge heads, scrub the inside of the bowl, and then throw it away! Cleaning the toilet *literally* couldn't be simpler. A teeth-whitening pen, which starts delivering results in just two weeks by simply painting a thin layer over your teeth every night! If whitening trays and strips seem like too much of a hassle, these travel-friendly pens are easy to use and effectively remove stains over time for a brighter, whiter smile! A sheepskin rug brush — a slicker brush designed to help remove matting and clumps of fabric so your rug looks and feels as expensive as the price tag it came with. If you own anything fleece or plush and want to return it back to its original condition (or close to), then you absolutely need this! A hairbrush cleaning tool that'll help you get all the dead hair and product residue out of your brushes, because let's be honest, your fingers aren't getting all the hair out and it's not worth the mess trying. And a Pikk-it tool, which is specifically designed to remove hair that's tangled in the vacuum head and make it work less than optimally. You think your fingers can reach all the hair in there, but this nifty tool will prove you wrong and get it *real* clean! A jar of Brazilian Bum Bum body cream that boasts a blend of caffeine-packed guarana extract and coconut oil to help *visibly* firm and moisturize skin, so you can step out feeling as confident as ever. And it won't hurt that it also smells ah-may-zing with creamy, delectable notes of salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla! ✨ Joesoef's sulfur soap, which is dermatologist-approved for helping treat acne breakouts because of the antibacterial cleansing properties of volcanic sulfur. So, if you don't plan on sitting at the base of a volcano and letting the sulfuric springs work their miracle healing anytime will unclog your pores and eliminate blackheads just the same (if not better). A game-changing dishwashing spray that helps break down grease and food debris *in minutes*, in turn saving you loads of time by eliminating the need to pre-soak your dishes. Just spray and wipe the mess away! 🥲 A three-step cradle cap system to help you gently remove flakes from your little one's scalp. Simply soap up the included double-sided sponge brush and massage in circular motions on their head, and finally use the fine-tooth comb to lift the flakes away! The very popular Chom Chom roller, a reusable pet hair remover with a patented brush design, so all you have to do is simply push back and forth to collect all the hair and lint from clothes, furniture, car seats, cat towers, etc., into a chamber. Then remove and throw all that hair away. Over 195,000 reviewers have bestowed it with a rating averaging 4.5 stars, and we agree: If a member of your household happens to have four legs and a ton of hair, this is a must-buy. A beeswax wood polish and conditioner to bring your worn furniture and cabinets back to life in no time at all. So, before you start saving up for a replacement, try out this polish first. It even helps keep the wood hydrated to make the shine last longer! Plus, a leather cleaner just perfect for reviving furniture, bags, shoes, and other beloved leather goods that might be looking a little less than ideal just means they're well-loved! It's much much cheaper to spend time restoring and protecting what you already have instead of scouring the internet and spending money for a brand new version. Emergency Stain Rescue Stain Remover, an all-purpose cleaning spray that's basically Dumbledore-level sorcery for how well it removes stains from carpet, upholstery, and clothes like that! *snaps* It can even tackle the toughest stains like blood, paint, coffee, ketchup, and those deodorant stains ruining all your favorite dark-colored tops. 😭 A stainless-steel foot file, which requires a little elbow grease to tackle those crusted and calloused feet once and for all (or at least regularly). You'll end up with baby-soft feet and enough dead skin debris that you'll need to vacuum up *gag* collect it in a cup to throw away later. A pair of seamless and reusable Nippies silicone pasties that allow you to wear your favorite tops and dresses without worrying about stubborn bra straps, visible piercings, *or* a sudden drop in temperature. Reviewers love that these nipple covers look seamless underneath clothing and stay put, no matter the occasion. And a breathable, sweat-proof boob tape kit in case you have a dress or top with a strange cut that wouldn't work with a bra, but you want a bra-like lift. This kit includes boob tape, satin petals to protect your nipples, and even a pair of silicone pasties. It even comes with a convenient carrying pouch you could effortlessly pack in your go-bag! A scrub-free overnight toilet tank cleaner created with a citric acid formula to remove hard water deposits, mineral staining, and even odors. It works hard while you snooze, so you can literally wake up to a cleaner toilet and more more chore knocked off the list! A screen-cleaning brush so you 🎵 can see clearly now 🎵 through your mesh screen covered with bug carcasses, dirt, and other things from nature that have gotten stuck. You can use it wet or dry and simply swipe it across the screen to clean! A cruelty-free pet ear cleanser that'll gently (but effectively) clean your furry friend's ears and help make ear cleaning time a little easier for both you and the fur babe. Just fill the ear canal, gently massage it in, gently remove debris with a cotton ball, and boom, clean, fresh ears. An enamel paint, so you can easily refresh the surfaces of metal appliances, like your fridge (plus washers, dryers, and bathtubs), if they've begun showing some wear, scratches, and rusting after years of dependable usage. A powerhouse trio of serums: retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, which work together to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as brighten, smooth, hydrate, *and* plump your skin for a glowing complexion. A pack of Stomp 'N Go pads perfect for anyone who tends to clean up pet messes (well, urine that is) by stepping on a paper towel. These easy-to-use pads were designed for area stain removal and get to work in just a few easy steps: set, step, leave for 30 minutes, and remove. Time to tackle that vomit stain on your carpet that never seems to come out! And a Bissell Little Green Machine with a unique attachment that sprays cleaning solution, scrubs away the mess, *and* suctions it all up! So when tough messes pop up around the house, you won't have to think twice about how to clean them, thanks to this portable, tote-bag-size gadget. A pack of furniture touch-up markers and wax sticks for those smaller scratches and scuffs that don't require a full replacement or refinish — seriously, it'll take only a few minutes to make your furniture or floor look like new! A set of interlocking drawer organizers that you can arrange according to your needs and drawer size, so everything currently cluttering up your countertop can be perfectly arranged inside the drawers. Some restorative wipes to bring new life back into your sun-damaged surfaces and faded furniture so that it all looks brand new again. These wipes work on everything from vinyl, plastic, and painted surfaces to metal and fiberglass. Plus, they even help protect your items from future damage! A clear nail polish designed with a bitter taste to help put an end to nail biting, thumb sucking, and generally putting your hands in your mouth. It tastes so bad, and it's perfect for kids three and up who like to put their fingers in their mouths and seem to be constantly sick. It's safe and effective, and you'll definitely prefer chewing anything else. A pet stain and odor eliminator that's created with an enzymatic formula, so it goes beyond erasing the dirt of the stain to *literally* eating up the smell-causing compounds, too. If you have a pet or child and have to deal bodily messes (read: blood, vomit, urine, etc.), an enzyme cleaner like this one is the best choice to banish them — preserving your carpet, furniture, and upholstery, etc., so you don't have to replace it completely. Basically, this will be your new secret weapon. An LED light therapy mask, which uses blue *and* red light to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, treat (and eventually clear) mild to moderate acne, fade scarring, and even prevent breakouts from happening! Skincare with a luxe flair? We love to see it! A fast-drying grout paint pen because it's finally time to ditch the dingy grout bringing down your bathroom aesthetic! No one will know you didn't hire a professional because this easy-to-use pen simply disappears all the residue and dirt leftover from years of living (aka spills, steps, and stains you don't even remember the origin of). A bottle of Oh Yuk jetted tub cleaner to get into those hard-to-reach places (read: the inner pipes and jets) and wash all those dead skin cells, body oils, and hair from every user before you out of there. 🤢 Just look at the difference in the tub below — how would you even know all of that dirt is lurking in there?!
