Empty chair, full of meaning

Middle school teacher Daniel Gill has been at the same school for 52 years. He's taught and beloved by generations of New Jersey students, and, even all these years later, he does it because he truly loves kids.

But today's story isn't about those relationships. It's about an unused empty chair – and the lessons it can teach us.

🪑 Take a seat... For the entirety of Mr. Gill's career, he's kept an empty chair in the center of his classroom. It's not for a student or Daniel, however. The chair sits (🤦‍♀️) empty on purpose... and for good reason. 

📚 Storytime... When Daniel was only nine, he went to a birthday party with his best friend at the time, Archie. As the boys tried to get in, Daniel was welcomed with open arms... but Archie, who was Black, was turned away. 

When the two young boys asked why, the party host simply said "there were no chairs."

• "She said it again," said Daniel, recalling the story, "'you can come in, Archie can't...' my friend was humiliated." 

💭 Core memory, unlocked: Daniel never forgot that day. In fact, it's shaped the way he's lived and taught for sixty years. The empty chair in his classroom has always been for Archie, and anyone else facing discrimination. "It's a symbol to show kids there is room for everyone. There's always a chair." 

While Daniel is officially retiring next year, he's undoubtedly made a positive impact on generations of children.

• “Kids work well with symbols,” he said “[The chair is] a reminder that they can do better — better academically, socially, and emotionally — but also to make people feel welcome and make this a better place to live.”