Most people working in school systems across the country are not simply "teachers" or "janitors" who see their jobs solely as a source of income —they are individuals who dedicate their lives to teaching, raising, and helping the next generations.
Throughout my education, the selflessness of these teachers and school staff have never ceased to amaze me.
Her story garnered national attention after she was fired from her position for feeding a student who had $8 still owing on his lunch tab.
In her mind, there wasn't a decision to make. She had a duty to the kids of the school first and foremost.
“I have a district manager here, my boss had told me ‘Don’t cause any scenes with the contract’ and I quietly said ‘tell (your) mom you need money,'" she explained. "The student replied, 'OK, will do,' and continued on with his lunch. "
The district manager asked her what the student had on his tray, and then walked away.
“It was my life for five years," she told Valley News, " I went and I took care of another family,” she told Valley News. “You don’t just lose a family member, be OK and move on.”
Even parents of children attending the school have spoken out in support of Kimball.
"These guys really took care of our kids," said one parent. "They put our kids first and their focus was really our kids."
Another parent said that she knew Bonnie "went above and beyond for the kids."
“His family is very well known in this town and I can guarantee that if I called his mother, she would have come right in and paid the bill," she said. "I know they would have brought the money the next day. The bill was going to get paid."
She is weary of the offer, saying that she thinks Fresh Picks, the school lunch division of Cafe Services, is only hiring her back so that it can keep its contract with the school.
Though Cafe Services originally supported Kimball's termination, they released a tweet denying her account of what happened:
"Fresh Picks Cafe, a division of Cafe Services, Inc., would never authorize an employee to not feed a student or a staff member a meal."
Though, the attention she has gotten from the story has been beneficial in a different way.
Kimball has recently also been offered a job working for world-renowned chef Jose Andres, who saw her story:
"If she needs a job we have openings at @thinkfoodgroup if you know her, let her know!”
Kimball has not yet stated whether she will be accepting any other offers for work.
h/t: Cafe Mom
