Giving Thanks For Teachers Willing to do Almost Anything for Students

Teachers are known for doing almost anything for their students, but how many would go dumpster diving just to help a student find a lost item?

The answer is at least two teachers at Tyrone Middle School.

Middle school teachers Mike Kraft and Matt Germino were presented with a special award for their willingness to get dirty for a student in need.

I had a retainer as a kid, and I know how expensive they can be. The student was worried and anxious, so dumpster diving it was.

— TAMS Teacher Mike Kraft

A few Fridays ago Tyrone Middle School student Peyton Morrissey had a panicked moment when she accidentally threw her retainer away with her leftovers at lunch.

Losing a retainer can be a middle school student’s worst nightmare. They are expensive to replace, and the last place someone would want them to be is in the garbage.

“My first reaction was the thought of not getting it back and my mom being really mad at me,” said Morrissey.

But when the student approached Tyrone Area Middle School teacher Micheal Kraft with her dilemma, Kraft dove into action to help find it.

Kraft dug through the garbage for about about 15 minutes to find the missing dental hardware.

“It was all the way at the bottom of the full trash can,” said Kraft.“I had a retainer as a kid, and I know how expensive they can be,” said Kraft. “The student was worried and anxious, so dumpster diving it was.”

In appreciation for his selfless valor, Kraft was surprised with a “Diving Deep” award, presented by TAMS guidance counselor Matt Kimberling during lunch.

“Most teachers would have done what I did in that situation,” said Kraft.

But the story doesn’t end there. Morrissey lost her retainer the same way just a week later.  This time it was TAMS teacher Matt Germino there to save the day.

There are certain lines to be drawn, but diving in the trash can is now on the other side of that line

— TAMS teacher Matt Germino

Although Morrissey was able to laugh at the situation this time, her first thought was “I seriously threw my retainer away again.”

Luckily for Germino, it was still early on in the lunch period, so there was not as much trash to dig through as the first time it happened.

“I only had to navigate through several wrappers, some wasted vegetables, and half-eaten main courses,” said Germino.

Germino said he will do almost anything for his students, but even he admitted, that “there are certain lines to be drawn, but diving in the trash can is now on the other side of that line.”

Both teachers’ heroic saves resulted in the rescue of the student’s retainer which is now, hopefully, safe.