News Summary
Cherilyn Guy, an English teacher at Las Vegas High School, is a well-known ‘kindness influencer’ on social media. With a following of over 163,000 on TikTok, she encourages positivity and compassion among her students. Guy gained fame through a viral video showcasing her students’ humble Christmas wishes, leading to significant support from companies like Dearfoams and Crayola. Her dedication to nurturing a positive learning environment is further exemplified by her personalized approach to teaching, including customized birthday treats for her students.
Las Vegas – Cherilyn Guy, an English teacher at Las Vegas High School, continues to make a significant impact as a recognized “kindness influencer,” promoting positivity and encouraging compassion among her students. Over the past two years, Guy’s inspiring approach to kindness has garnered a considerable following on social media, with approximately 163,000 followers on her primary TikTok account and an additional 15,000 on her secondary account. She frequently uses the hashtag #kindnesswins in her posts, reinforcing her message that kindness can prevail in challenging times.
Guy gained widespread attention two years ago when she posted a viral TikTok video reflecting on her students’ modest Christmas wishes. In this video, she shared that her students requested simple gifts such as Takis, M&Ms, a Littlest Pet Shop toy, prescription glasses, and well wishes for classmates. The heartfelt nature of these requests resonated with people worldwide, leading to an outpouring of support that resulted in numerous gifts and cash contributions. Following the video’s success, companies such as Dearfoams and Crayola stepped in with generous donations to support Guy’s kindness initiatives.
The $5,000 donation from Dearfoams was a notable contribution, which included gifts like shoes for all teachers at Las Vegas High and the introduction of “Kindness Wins” slippers into mass production. Additionally, Crayola provided $1,000 worth of classroom supplies, along with kindness-themed gifts for Guy’s students, expanding the reach of her message and influence.
In her classroom, Guy maintains a strict no-phone policy to foster a focused learning environment free from distractions. At the beginning of each academic year, she asks students to fill out index cards containing personal information, allowing her to develop tailored interactions that cater to each student’s individual needs. This effort is evident through her preparation of customized goody bags for students on their birthdays, along with a special acknowledgment for summer birthdays at the end of the school year.
Recently, Guy shared a video showcasing a shipment of candy straws from Sour Punch that she received for her students. This continuous engagement with her students highlights her commitment to creating a supportive and nurturing atmosphere, essential for their personal growth.
Guy began her journey of promoting kindness while teaching at Desert Pines High School in 2023, where her first viral video brought significant attention to the needs of her students. Since then, she has actively worked to integrate kindness into the educational experience, demonstrating her dedication to making a difference in the lives of those around her.
Throughout her teaching career, Guy has moved between various locations, including Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, and now Las Vegas, all to be closer to her family. She took on the role of journalism teacher at Las Vegas High, successfully reviving the student newspaper and emphasizing media literacy among her students. By sharing her own positive experiences and lessons learned from small acts of kindness, Guy aspires to inspire both her students and her wider audience.
Guy’s principal at Las Vegas High School, Raymond Ortiz, acknowledges the authenticity that characterizes her approach, contributing to her strong connection with students and the community. Her mantra revolves around the idea that small daily efforts toward kindness can lead to significant and lasting change in society.
In summary, Cherilyn Guy continues to inspire those around her by promoting kindness, compassion, and understanding in her classroom and beyond. Her effective use of social media, coupled with tangible actions to support her students, exemplifies the profound impact one individual can have in creating a more positive environment both in education and the wider community.
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Additional Resources
- Las Vegas Sun: Teacher’s Emotional Plea for Spreading Kindness
- Richfield Reaper: The Power of Kindness
- Dignity Memorial: Shelly Brown Obituary
- Moneywise: Teacher Gave Students $20 for Good Deeds
- Nevada Appeal: Rotary Club Senior Spotlight
- Wikipedia: Kindness
- Google Search: Impact of Kindness
- Google Scholar: Kindness in Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kindness
- Google News: Kindness in Schools
