VIDEO: Entire Tennessee school signs 'Happy Birthday' song for custodian who is deaf

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WZTV) — *First on WZTV News because original stories matter*

Last year the world was introduced to Mr. James, a loved middle Tennessee custodian who is deaf and received a special surprise from some sweet kindergarten students.

Pure joy exuded from Mr. James’ face as students at Hickerson Elementary signed the “Happy Birthday” song. The video went viral, gaining 10 million views on the WZTV Facebook page alone.

Now, the school was set out to give Mr. James a new surprise of a lifetime that he so very-much deserves.

The entire school joined for an assembly Wednesday to sign Mr. James the “Happy Birthday” song and his reaction is better than ever. The NFL also gifted Mr. James with a signed football and a blanket.

Hickerson Principal Jimmy Anderson tells WZTVNews that the kids love Mr. James.

“Mr. James teaches the kids sign language every now and then, teaches them good manners and how to treat other people,” Anderson said.

Anderson went on to say that Mr. James is a great role model for the students.

Mr. James has worked at Hickerson Elementary for 16 years, but has been with the school district for 31 years.

WZTV News spoke with students who adore Mr. James and love learning how he communicates.

“It feels nice,” says kindergartener Abel Long. Long went on to say his heart beats really fast because Mr. James makes him so happy.

“For them to learn it in such a short amount of time, the entire school, it was really important,” says teacher Allyssa Hartsfield, who helped organize the sign language song. “We laugh with him, we cry with him. He’s like our big brother.”

Hartsfield says for the students to want to learn how Mr. James communicates, it teaches them a bigger lesson.

“Just to show love. It doesn’t take that much to be kind. And when you show that little bit of kindness, it goes a long way.”

“He always messes around with me,” says first grader Shealynn Thompson. “I know he is sweet and nice and he works so hard in the school. I know how to do sign language and he talks like us, so I talk like him.”

Mr. James says he may be nearing retirement soon. But his message of, “Meet me halfway” will live on in all the lives he’s touched.

“I’m not special! The school is a wonderful place. Everyone truly cares about everyone,” he says. “I think people are afraid to sign because they get it wrong. But that’s okay. It’s about communication; taking the time to talk to me and not being afraid to talk to me. I pick up on things faster than you realize.”

He hopes this story inspires others to learn something new, even if it may scare you at first.