WATCH: Emotional Lakota teachers surprise inspiring students in video series

What students wouldn’t want to hear their teachers say, “You are the reason I do what I do”?

Or, “You inspire me.”

Or, “You make me want to get out of bed and come to school every day.”

Officials at Lakota Schools in Butler County saw the potential for an unusual affirmation exchange that usually flows in the reverse direction, with students revealing how their teachers inspire and motivate them.

But Lakota’s communications officials wanted to hear what some teachers in the 16,500-student school system felt about their favorite students.

And they wanted to film teachers as they surprised their one special student and told them face-to-face - in often emotional, tearful exchanges – how much the youngster or teen met to them as professional educators.

The district’s “Our WHY is you” video series was unveiled in the spring and has since proved a popular hit on both the Lakota Schools’ Facebook page and other social media.

In a short introduction introducing the videos, school officials wrote “Our WHY is you” is a simple statement that defines how WE feel about our students at Lakota Local Schools.”

“Join us as teachers surprise their students with heartfelt statements about how they are their inspiration to come to work every day and do their very best,” said officials.

The videos, which include separate pairings of teachers sharing their hearts with students in elementary, junior high and high school grades, also includes a nearly five-minute montage of some of the more emotional episodes.

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