As schools continue to go through the difficult process of “distance learning,” all the Zoom calls and new technologies can be frustrating.

Fortunately, in recent weeks, we’ve seen some football coaches who don’t have anything else to do take some time out of their days to brighten teachers’ (and students’) days.

Recently, Mississippi State coach Mike Leach surprised the teachers in Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School’s faculty meeting by appearing on their Zoom call. During the call, he offered praise to the teachers who are doing their best to keep education going (via the Clarion-Ledger):

“I have a number of teachers that I remember,” Leach said during the call. “I have one or two that I’d like to forget, but for the most part I had fantastic teachers, I had great teachers. Teachers were those that first gave me the confidence to do things when I wasn’t sure I could do them.

“If you can provide fulfilling experiences for people, it’s always amazing the paths their lives take. It sets the course. Teachers truly are one of the most important professions that exist in this country.”

That’s a great sentiment, and it clearly brightened many teachers’ days. It’s cool to see the ways people are coming together even as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps us physically apart.