I recently received a call from a parent to tell me how much they appreciated the help provided by three Putnam City West teachers after they witnessed an accident.
Coach Travis Brandenberger and Coach Doug Klipper were bringing the softball team back from a tournament in Mustang in late August. Tech Ed teacher Artie Lowery was driving the team bus. Artie was the first to see a pickup truck go over a curb at S.W. 44th. Dirt flew as the truck rolled over and over through a field.
Coach Brandenberger immediately called 911 on his cell phone. With the bus safely parked, all three teachers ran to the truck. The driver had been thrown from the truck, but was lying on the ground with truck on top of him. Along with others who stopped, the coaches lifted the truck enough for Artie to pull the driver out from underneath it.
Coach Klipper caught and held the driver’s frightened dog, which had been in the truck. Coach Brandenberger got information from the driver and began to call members of his family. All three stayed with the driver until an ambulance arrived.
"We saw the need," Coach Brandenberger says simply.
Teachers are known for their everyday compassion. Here’s a real-life example of teachers using that compassion to do something heroic outside of the classroom. Their actions were commendable.
—Buster Meeks, Putnam City West principal
Is there someone you want to publicly thank for the help they provided or the good things they do? Here’s your chance.
This year we’ll run your thank-yous for the fantastic things done by Putnam City staff and volunteers. You can thank someone who stepped up to provide help you needed. You can thank someone who stepped in to add important energy or expertise to a project. You can simply thank someone with a good heart who did you a favor.
Send your "Applause" to slindley@putnamcityschools.org