Blair Oaks service project rooted in Tim McGraw song

The light melody and uplifting lyrics of Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” music video are what inspired Blair Oaks teacher Beth Isenberg to get her students involved in a service project.

Each month the elementary school organizes an assembly centered around positive character traits, and it was the first grade’s turn create a message for the students. She showed the music video during the assembly, which promotes being a better person and always acting with kindness without expecting anything in return.

McGraw’s website “Stay Humble and Kind” features photos of random acts of kindness from ordinary people all over the country, and Isenberg wanted her class to be part of the movement.

“I was introduced to the song, and it makes you want to go out and help others and feel good,” she said. “It’s a good example for kids, and that tradition can continue.”

Isenberg wanted to meet the students at their level with a project they would be excited about and picked the local animal shelter as the recipient of their service project donations. For two weeks her first-grade class collected toys, treats and food for the cats and dogs at the Jefferson City Animal Shelter.

The students were thrilled with the project and their accomplishment. Many of them have animals at home and wanted to give back to local critters are still seeking a family.

“It was exciting,” first-grade student Sommer Phillips said. “I have a dog named Piper, and he’s only 3. (On the day the donations were delivered) I gave him some dog treats.”

A former Isenberg student, second-grader Kenzee Schmidt, was so excited after the assembly she wanted to help as well. She pinned flyers around her neighborhood and went door to door requesting donations for the cause.

She helped donate the items last Friday and told her mom “it made her heart feel tingly.”

Schmidt said she loves dogs and has a fluffy Shih Tzu named Cooper at home. Some Blair Oaks staffers and students surprised the shelter with four car loads full of supplies. Unfortunately, none of Isenberg’s first-grade students were able to make it because school wasn’t in session that day.

“They were so surprised,” Isenberg said of the employees at the shelter on Friday. “I think they were so excited and overwhelmed, and they were so grateful.”

Her students said they’re trying to do more random acts of kindness by being helpful around the house.

Character education is something Isenberg tries to incorporate into her lessons and is a program the district subscribes to. Each month, a new word is selected, and students who exemplify the trait are honored at the school board’s monthly meetings with a certificate.

Isenberg said she is trying to instill good qualities in her students at a young age so they make other people feel accepted.