Teacher visits student battling leukemia every day to help with lessons

• A dedicated teacher in Pennsylvania visits her second-grade student, who is battling cancer, every day at his home so he won’t fall behind with lessons.
• When school returned to in-person classes, Harrison Conner remained to learn from home as he goes through treatment for leukemia.
• Barb Heim drives 20 minutes from school to Harrison’s house to teach the day’s lesson.

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Barb Heim’s workday as a teacher at Conneaut Valley Elementary School in Conneautville, Pennsylvania does not end when the bell rings. She makes a 20-minute drive from school to a special student’s house.

When in-person classes returned in the fall, Harrison Conner has stayed in remote schooling as he goes through treatment for leukemia. Barb makes sure Harrison is not falling behind with lessons.

Conneaut Valley Teacher in National Spotlight https://t.co/a74GVyee10— Erie News Now (@ErieNewsNow) May 6, 2021

The two practice safety guidelines, aware that the pandemic is not yet over, both knowing how vulnerable Harrison’s condition is. They both wear masks and Barb also wears a face shield. There’s also a Plexiglass screen at a table that separates them.

“It was a joy, because I knew he wanted to learn,” Barb told Harry Smith on TODAY Friday during Teacher Appreciation Week. “He couldn’t wait. He was so excited. And he’d have his off days if medicine was causing him to not feel up to it. It wasn’t the best day for him, but we made it through. And he always did his best.”

Barb said she first noticed Harrison’s health was off near the end of 2019. He would often turn pale and tired. Harrison’s mother, Suzanne, was notified by the school nurse. Barb found out about Harrison’s diagnosis after the Christmas break.

“One of these little guys from my class walks in the doorway, makes a beeline to my desk, and says, ‘Mrs. Heim, Harrison went on a helicopter ride to the hospital,”’ Barb said.

Barb and his classmates felt his absence.

“Oh, he’s an amazing little guy,” Barb said. “He is so much fun in class. You could have 100 of him in a classroom, and you would still take more because he has that sense about him. He wants to learn. He loves to learn new things.”

Before the pandemic began, Barb’s class would call Harrison on Zoom every day after recess. Barb decided she had to go the extra mile to make sure he wouldn’t fall behind in lessons.

“It goes far beyond her just coming here for school,” Suzanne Conner told TODAY. “Ever since the minute he was diagnosed … she has been absolutely amazing. She has kept Harrison such a part of the kids’ lives in school and making sure that he feels remembered.

“It’s not like a teacher is coming from school to teach, she’s like an aunt who is coming over to hang out, and she brings goodies, and she is always bringing a smile,” she said. “My kids will meet her at the front door with all the latest news and it’s incredibly, incredibly, special.”

The good news is, Harrison is in remission, but he will still continue treatment for another year and a half.

“I’m lucky to be his teacher,” Barb said. “I’m the lucky one.”

Source: TODAY