Harrison County second grader lets teacher know she’s a hero

Not every hero wears a cape, has superhuman strength or the ability to fly. Today, a second grader surprised his teacher at Lyman Elementary School in Harrison County by telling her she was his hero.
“Ms. Payne is my hero.” That’s what second grader Chase Allen told his mother after he came home from school at Lyman Elementary. Kristin Allen says her son’s words touched her heart. “For a seven-year-old to acknowledge that and to say that his teacher was his hero because she helped him speaks volumes.’
Angela Payne teaches second grade at Lyman Elementary School in Harrison County. Tuesday the Allens surprised Miss Payne and the class with pizza, cupcakes, and gifts to let her know how much of a difference she has made as Chase’s teacher. “It makes me feel shocked that he really felt that way and it makes me realize that I am doing a good job,” said Payne.
Payne describes her teaching style as strict and stern, but she makes sure her students know she cares about them. Chase says there are a lot of things he likes about being in her class. “She’s nice. She’s fun and she gets us ice cream sometimes.”
Chase’s mother says it’s all too often that a teacher’s hard work goes unrecognized. “You always hear the negative. You never hear the positive. I wanted to do something to show her the positive.”
These are the very same hallways that Ms. Payne walked when she was a student at Lyman Elementary School. Now she’s been a teacher here for 18 years and she says she’s never had a surprise like this one. “Some days you wonder. Am I touching all these students? Am I doing what I need to do and to know that he felt that way makes me feel special.”