Kindergarten Class Signs 'Happy Birthday' Song to Beloved Deaf Custodian

Two kindergarten classes at Hickerson Elementary School, in Nashville, Tennessee, prepared to deliver a super special surprise on October 23, 2018. This day was the 60th birthday of James Anthony, the beloved deaf custodian of 15 years at this elementary school. Upon entering the combined classes of kindergarten teachers Allyssa Hartsfield and Amy Hershman, Anthony was surprised to find all of the kindergarteners in the room singing the song “Happy Birthday”

Completely overjoyed, Anthony cried and later told Hartsfield, “This is the best present you could’ve given me.”

The teachers and students at Hickerson Elementary truly love Mr. Anthony and wanted to give him a gift that would show their appreciation for all that he does. On top of his other duties, Anthony teaches the kids sign language, good manners, and how to treat other people; he is a great role model for the children.

While Anthony is good at reading lips, the teachers wanted to do something for him in a way that he best understands, so in five minutes, they taught the kindergarteners how to sign “Happy Birthday.” Hartsfield and Hershman commented that they thought the kids’ faces showed that they really understood how special it was for them to sing this song to Anthony in a special way when they saw his reaction.

The video below was posted to Facebook, by the school, where it earned 128,000 views. After learning this, Anthony said to everyone, “Guys, I’m kind of famous -- I’m going to Hollywood next.”

It was a wonderful moment to be shared with the world and touched the lives of many.