I have a friend who lives in a California. She gave up a lucrative career in journalism to be a teacher. She did this because she felt she had something positive to give back to the next generation. She even chose to teach at an alternative education high school because she thought she could make the most significant changes with struggling kids. She’s very talented, generous and noble. She has a bubbly personality, an infectious smile and she is a tremendous mother and wife. In September of 2012, a fight broke out in the hallway. When she arrived on the scene, one of the boys had his arms raised in a surrender position, so she started to escort him to the office. Unfortunately, the boy behind her decided to take another swing and… connected… with the back of Mrs. Labayog’s head, breaking her eardrum and nerve stem and rendered her unconscious. Along with the rest of her body, her head hit the hard floor shattering her nose and eye orbit. To make a very long story short, she broke her nose, lost the vision in her right eye and now requires a hearing aid to hear out of her right ear. Since then, she has endured multiple surgeries, chronic pain, specialists, ongoing therapies, legal battles, disability issues, & high medical costs. The word horrific does not begin to describe this ordeal!
Still, she has a strong desire to get back to teaching. To add insult to injury, someone either took the wedding ring off her finger or picked it up off the floor while she was laying on the hallway floor, unconscious. It really bothered her to think that one of her own students could stoop to such a low level. The punch probably hit her on accident, but the theft was on purpose.
Over 20 months later (some 600 days), she found an anonymous envelope in her teacher’s box at school. Inside the envelope, she found a note that read, “I’m sorry” and… her beloved, cherished wedding ring. “I was so shocked I just cried tears of happiness,” she wrote on Facebook and later wrote, “I am not sure who had this or why they decided to finally return it…but I am so grateful…having that ring stolen bothered me almost as much as the permanent hearing, vision and other injuries I have suffered and getting this back has restored some of the belief I have that people…given opportunity and time….will do the right thing…”
Author’s Perspective: Quite frankly, I can’t say it any better than Mrs. Labayog, so I will not try…and if you don’t get the lessons to be learned, I probably can’t teach them to you. So, as part of your final exam, I will leave it to you to tell me the lessons of this story.
Your Turn: Please place your comments below, (2) like and share our Facebook page (character development & leadership) or (3) tweet to @CDandLeadership using #DoTheRightThing)
1) What life-lessons can you learn from the boy who hit the teacher? Think of the impact that decision had on Mrs. Labayog, not to mention his own.
2) What life-lessons can you learn from the student who stole this wedding ring? Why do you think this student gave the ring back? Does giving the ring back make up for stealing it in the first place? Do you agree that it’s never too late to do the right thing?
3) When a fight breaks out in school, a parent always says, “Where are the teachers?” Do you think it’s a teacher’s responsibility to break up fights? Knowing this story, would you?
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Mrs.Labayog is a very strong and by reading this I think of her as a type of person to be admired and recognized, I am also humbled to say that i’m learning from this amazing person and I think kids like me can learn a lot from her.
Mrs.labayog is my teather and has a great attitude about the situation. I think that the person who stole the ring may have come from a family with no money and no family values. So, to return the ring , is a surprise to me because in the sichuation that he/she may had been in, it probably was hard to return it.
I do not think that the teachers should get involved . The reson why I say that is because the teacher might get hert on axedent. I think the suceritti people should try to stop the fight but with coshen.
Ending up like my teacher is just not worth it. Ashlyn Hazelton
Horizon 9th
Truly astounding, I commend you for your will to fight on, and your choice to do the right thing.
Surely a reporter’s salary is more lucrative, but it appears that doesn’t stop you.
Requirements:
1)
I can learn its never too late to do the right thing, until the person is incapacitated.
I think the student gave the ring back out of guilt.
Giving the ring back doesn’t make up for the injury, but
God has made everyone in the image of himself, no matter how bad the said person is, there is always forgiveness.
2)
Teachers must be equipped to break up fights and should carry a weapon
at all times in my opinion, and should be given sufficient self defense training.
If I were a teacher, yes I would’ve stopped the fight, however I doubt there would be much I could do to stop his shameful sneak attack. I am truly sorry for your partial loss of hearing and sight.
Hi, im one of those “struggling kids” Mrs. Labayog helps. Before tonight, i had no idea about her story. Shes always so positive and happy and wants to be at the school. I’m sort of a paranoid person, so i give her props for being able to go back there. SHES A N INSPIRATION TO ALL!
I learned that kids these days are so crul and i also learned that its never to late to do the right thing. its not your job to break fights but you had the courage do break it. then they toke something thats specail from you. if i were i would of stop teaching but you still are mrs laboyago you are a strong teacher ever.
Getting hearing loss is the worst feeling, being the cause is even more worst feeling. This kid must have felt the most terrible person on Earth. It gave that kid nightmares about it and he’ll always regretted it. For his guiltiness, he decides to do a tiny act of kindness in hopes in makes it a bit better, cause it a little bit of something is better than nothing. He probably doesn’t know that his action caused an emotional impact on that person.
1) I believe that the kid who hit Mrs. Labayog feels very depressed and guilty for breaking his moral as a man. Hopefully, he makes a clear understanding of what he really did, and how it affects his near future.
2) The student who stole the wedding ring was probably very desperate for finding some type of treasury and finally understood his actions as he matured and felt it that the only thing to do was to return the ring. He learned to respect others values and to never take without giving back.
3) When a school fight breaks out, the students fighting should be broken up by an adult, and have a type of punishment for fighting. That is probably a main reason security guards are at school.
i think this was a good story and i also think the person who returned the ring did the right thing it’s never too late to do the right thing
I had heard about the horrible ordeal way before I knew Mrs. Labayog , she is an amazing teacher and very kind always smiling even when not feeling good. I love that about her I had no idea about the stolen ring it surprised me that someone did such an awful thing. But the past is in the past the point is, no matter who did it they did the right thing by giving it back. That was very commendable and just one of many examples that it’s never to late to do the right thing. I think what the boy did was wrong and I hope he never does anything like this ever again and it’s horrible that his behavior affected someone like Mrs. Labayog.
1) What life-lessons can you learn from the boy who hit the teacher? Think of the impact that decision had on Mrs. Labayog, not to mention his own.
The life lessons that you can learn from the boy who hit the teacher is that you shouldn’t get into fights because they cause nothing but trouble. The impact of the decision probably made Mrs. Labayog not want to break up fights anymore or just enforce the rule that you shouldn’t start fights. He probably learned that you should not fight with others.
2) What life-lessons can you learn from the student who stole this wedding ring? Why do you think this student gave the ring back? Does giving the ring back make up for stealing it in the first place? Do you agree that it’s never too late to do the right thing?
The life-lessons that you can learn from the student who stole the wedding ring is that it’s not worth it to steal anything. I think that the student gave the ring back because he felt really bad and remorseful for Mrs. Labayog. Yes, I agree that it’s never too late to do the right thing. At any time, you can change from bad to good and you will get nothing but good karma.
3) When a fight breaks out in school, a parent always says, “Where are the teachers?” Do you think it’s a teacher’s responsibility to break up fights? Knowing this story, would you?
No , I do not think that it’s the teachers responsibility to break up fights because anyone should break up fights not just teachers. Yes, they have more authority, but you should at least try to prevent fights from happening and not encourage it. If you don’t break up the fights and have the teachers break it up, something like this can happen to an innocent teacher and it just isn’t fair at all.
1)The life lessons that you can learn from the boy who hit the teacher is that you shouldn’t get into fights because they cause nothing but trouble. The impact of the decision probably made Mrs. Labayog not want to break up fights anymore or just enforce the rule that you shouldn’t start fights. He probably learned that you should not fight with others.
2)The life-lessons that you can learn from the student who stole the wedding ring is that it’s not worth it to steal anything. I think that the student gave the ring back because he felt really bad and remorseful for Mrs. Labayog. Yes, I agree that it’s never too late to do the right thing. At any time, you can change from bad to good and you will get nothing but good karma.
3) No , I do not think that it’s the teachers responsibility to break up fights because anyone should break up fights not just teachers. Yes, they have more authority, but you should at least try to prevent fights from happening and not encourage it. If you don’t break up the fights and have the teachers break it up, something like this can happen to an innocent teacher and it just isn’t fair at all.
1. You can learn that fighting doesn’t fix anything. It made he want to stop more fights she wouldn’t wan that to happen to anyone else . he learned that he shouldn’t fight others.
2. It is not wearth stealing, it only leaves guilt. I think he realised what he did wrong . And its never too late do the right thing .
3. teaches aren’t the only ones that can beak up fights but students might get in trouble , but i wouldn’t mind getting in trouble for trying to do the right thing, because i’d know i did the right thing.
1. you can learn that trying to “win” is not more important than doing whats right
2.it is never too late to do the right thing. I can’t imagine how guilty that kid felt after stealing the ring
3. students are at fault too, especially the ones recording. teachers don’ty have to be the only ones to break up fights
1. Winning is not more important than doing what is right.
2. It’s never too late to do the right thing, I bet the kid felt guilty.
3. The students who are recording are also at fault .
She is a very strong woman, it does not matter if you win or loose at the end of the day what matters is if you did what is right. It is also never too late to do the right thing. The kids that were recording are at as much fault as anyone else.
1) I believe that the kid who hit Mrs. Labayog feels very depressed and guilty for breaking his moral as a man. Hopefully, he makes a clear understanding of what he really did, and how it affects his near future.
2) The student who stole the wedding ring was probably very desperate for finding some type of treasury and finally understood his actions as he matured and felt it that the only thing to do was to return the ring. He learned to respect others values and to never take without giving back.
3) When a school fight breaks out, the students fighting should be broken up by an adult, and have a type of punishment for fighting. That is probably a main reason security guards are at school.
1) I can learn how great the consequences of my actions can truly be.
2) I think the student felt guilty about stealing the ring. While returning doesn’t completely disregard the act of theft in and of itself, it shows great character from the student who ended up returning it. I don’t think it is ever too late to do the right thing.
3) I think that fights in school are a very sticky situation. Teachers are supposed to be able to break up a fight but after a hefty lawsuit regarding a teacher accidentally injuring a student while trying to break up a fight, a lot of teachers are afraid to. As a future teacher, I am not a very large person and would honestly be a little afraid and intimidated if I had the responsibility of breaking up a fight between two students.
1) I can learn how great the consequences of my actions can truly be.
2) I think the student felt guilty about stealing the ring. While returning doesn’t completely disregard the act of theft in and of itself, it shows great character from the student who ended up returning it. I don’t think it is ever too late to do the right thing.
3) I think that fights in school are a very sticky situation. Teachers are supposed to be able to break up a fight but after a hefty lawsuit regarding a teacher accidentally injuring a student while trying to break up a fight, a lot of teachers are afraid to. As a future teacher, I am not a very large person and would honestly be a little afraid and intimidated if I had the responsibility of breaking up a fight between two students.
I can learn how great the consequences of my actions can truly be.
1. I can learn the different outcomes of the situation if the teacher was accidently hit
2. I think the student gave the ring back because he/she felt like it was wrong for stealing it. Yes I agree because if someone someone drops something and you know who it is then you should give it back in return
3. Yes I think its’s the teachers responsibility to break up fights because if its their responsibility to teach the students why act out in class
1. Not to have a fight in a area with a lot of people so you don’t hit a different person that’s not in the fight…
3. Teachers must be equipped to break up fights and should carry a weapon
at all times in my opinion, and should be given sufficient self defense training.
2.The student who stole the wedding ring was probably very desperate for finding some type of treasury and finally understood his actions as he matured and felt it that the only thing to do was to return the ring. He learned to respect others values and to never take without giving back.
1.) i wouldn’t see no reason into doing something like that anyway. doesn’t makes you tougher nor gives you credit for abusing a teacher.
2.) he was desperate
3.) some students are at fault
1)I think that the boy learned severely from his actions.
2)The student learned the negative impact of stealing and learned to control the need because of the value things hold to some people
3)Yes and no. They risk just as much physical harm, but they should be able to maintain the students in a controlled environment.
i think this was a good story and i also think the person who returned the ring did the right thing it’s never too late to do the right stuff
1. Winning is not more important than doing what is right.
2. It’s never too late to do the right thing, the kid probably felt guilty.
3. The students who are recording are also at fault .
Truly astounding, I commend you for your will to fight on, and your choice to do the right thing.
Surely a reporter’s salary is more lucrative, but it appears that doesn’t stop you.
My thoughts on this story is that this lady is very strong and powerful for taking that hit from that kid, and after her injuries she stills fights to live every day to the fullest.
1. I think that the boy should have controlled his actions and been more aware of his surroundings.
2. I learned from the guy who stole the the ring probably had felt bad after he had done it and he did not wanted to be know that he was the one that stole it but wanted to give it back. I agree that there is always time to do the right thing.
3. I think that kids should try to do it and control themselves and if they cant than a teacher should step in.
1) What life-lessons can you learn from the boy who hit the teacher? Think of the impact that decision had on Mrs. Labayog, not to mention his own.\
He probably learned a lesson to aim a little better, and to not be as impulsive. The impact on mrs. labayog was very significant and set her back in her life. The student’s life was changed because of that guilt of basically ruining his teacher’s life and face
2) What life-lessons can you learn from the student who stole this wedding ring? Why do you think this student gave the ring back? Does giving the ring back make up for stealing it in the first place? Do you agree that it’s never too late to do the right thing?
The life lesson the student learned was to be honest and have empathy for the teacher because they stole a freaking wedding ring. It does make up for it, and it is never too late to do the right thing.
3) When a fight breaks out in school, a parent always says, “Where are the teachers?” Do you think it’s a teacher’s responsibility to break up fights? Knowing this story, would you?
Yes, it is the teacher’s responsibility to break up fights because they are responsible for the kids while they are there.
He probably learned a lesson to aim a little better, and to not be as impulsive. The impact on mrs. labayog was very significant and set her back in her life. The student’s life was changed because of that guilt of basically ruining his teacher’s life and face
The life lesson the student learned was to be honest and have empathy for the teacher because they stole a freaking wedding ring. It does make up for it, and it is never too late to do the right thing.
Yes, it is the teacher’s responsibility to break up fights because they are responsible for the kids while they are there.
He probably learned a lesson to aim a little better, and to not be as impulsive. The impact on mrs. labayog was very significant and set her back in her life. The student’s life was changed because of that guilt of basically ruining his teacher’s life and face
The life lesson the student learned was to be honest and have empathy for the teacher because they stole a freaking wedding ring. It does make up for it, and it is never too late to do the right thing.
Yes, it is the teacher’s responsibility to break up fights because they are responsible for the kids while they are there.
FPOIFGUQJ MERADFOIJOPF THIS ISNT A DUPLICATE PLEASE
The impact and courage Mrs. Labayog had during that time teaching was incredible, and I’m sure this is a moment that those kids will remember for a long time.
This woman’s story is a perfect example of how it is never to late to do the right thing. If you did somethig wrong admit it and it will make you feel so much better in the future.
she
You can learn from the boy to not be impulsive, and how the consequences of your actions can be very serious. The boy probably felt very guilty, especially after partially taking Mrs.Labayog’s hearing and and vision. He set her back in life all because he couldn’t control himself, and now he has to live with that.
The student who stole the wedding ring most like felt guilty or realized how wrong his actions were. I believe that is why he gave the ring back, but it’s never too late to do the right thing after all. Although it may have been more ideal if the student returned the ring a bit quicker, it was still better that the student gave it back after all that time instead of just keeping it forever.
It is part of a teacher’s job to watch student’s and keep them under control, but I don’t believe it’s anyone’s job to put themselves in harms way to stop a fight, student’s and teachers alike. If they do that, it’s because they’re seriously concerned about the students.
The teacher must really love teaching because It would take a lot to go back to school and teach after being beaten up by a kid and I know it was not intenasnial but still.
1) What life-lessons can you learn from the boy who hit the teacher? Think of the impact that decision had on Mrs. Labayog, not to mention his own.
to stop fight in school and to stop when its over. he mad e a big impact on her life she will never be the same and the same with him.
2) What life-lessons can you learn from the student who stole this wedding ring? Why do you think this student gave the ring back? Does giving the ring back make up for stealing it in the first place? Do you agree that it’s never too late to do the right thing?
to never steal becuase you never know what people our going though our what somthing means to them . yes i think its neverb to late to doo the wrong thing
3) When a fight breaks out in school, a parent always says, “Where are the teachers?” Do you think it’s a teacher’s responsibility to break up fights? Knowing this story, would you? no no no the teacher try there best but they risk there whole life to stop 1 petty fight .
This story shows empathy by the student giving the ring back
always do the right thing
the fact that the teacher was more worried about her ring over the fact that she had broke her nose lost her hearing ect because it couldve been an accident showes a little bit of empathy toward the kid who hit her
1) We learned that actions have consequences.
2)We can learn or rather infer that they felt guilty and you never know how much something means to someone. I think they gave it back cause they felt guilty. No. Yes.
3) No I do not think that it is a teacher’s responsibility to break it up but if possible they should try to prevent it.
1.) I cant say there’s a life lesson from hitting her other than a sense of right of wrong but I’m sure he probably felt really guilty doing that to someone who only wanted him better for him and dedicated herself to helping others. I couldn’t imagine what it was like being in her shoes but id definitely sue.
.
2.) I don’t think it could ever make up for stealing it in the first place and its sad so many of her students are mistreating her and taking advantage of her, they should definitely if not already be ashamed of themselves and stop acting cowardly and actually apologize to her instead of writing a cheap skate note with “Im sorry” on it.
3.) I think the teachers should be in some type of trouble if they do nothing about it. idk ppl are just really dumb it hurts my head
Fighting isn’t funny or cool. the kid must have felt bad and the guy recording probably felt bad aswell.
this is very unfortunate, she went to the school to make a positive change and came out with a negative one. i am glad someone gave the ring back but it shouldn’t have been taken in the first place as well.