Cody Dortch, an 11-year-old boy from Edmond, Oklahoma treated his former teachers to dinner. He wanted to honor them as he leaves elementary school for middle school next. He saved up money for the treat and the inspiration to do this came from an unlikely source—from his brother's friend who died in October 2015 and from his own dad, who is also a teacher.
According to ABC News, Cody Dortch, who studied at the Northern Hills Elementary School, treated seven of his elementary teachers from kindergarten to the fifth grade. It was held on April 13 and the 11-year-old prepared for this ahead of time by doing extra chores at home and around the neighborhood.
He contributed more work at home so that his parents could raise his allowance and he also babysat for the neighbors. Any money he received for Christmas and his birthday went to his savings. He was able to raise $200.
Cody Dortch Wanted To Show Appreciation For His Teachers
Then, Cody Dortch also elaborately prepared for the dinner by sending his teachers an invitation he made himself on the computer. His mom, Ashley Dortch, helped him track down his other teachers who were no longer working at the school so that they could give them the invites.
At dinner, Cody Dortch also handed his teachers flowers. "He wanted to show his appreciation for all they had done throughout the years," said his mother.
5th grader treated all his teachers to dinner before graduation #infinitefireinc #Codydortch https://t.co/hXMesDnz0C pic.twitter.com/y2xrCQ8SD9
— Infinite Fire Org. (@InfiniteFireOrg) May 30, 2016
Teachers Praised Cody Dortch's Sweet Gesture
With tears of joy, his teachers were pleased and appreciative of the boy's sweet and unexpected gesture. They only learned that dinner was Cody Dortch's treat as they were eating together. One teacher said that in her 23 years of work, this has yet to happen to them. But Cody is unlike any other boy in class as he realizes the sacrifice that teachers make by watching his own father, TJ, who is a Chemistry teacher.
His mother said that he was also inspired by the friend of his brother, who died at a young age. "He started thinking that he needs to show people that you don't have that much time," said Ashley, per WDay. Cody Dortch had great teachers in his elementary years and he wanted to pay them back, even in a small way, before he heads to middle school.
