11-year-old Gets Bullied for Supporting Grandfather with Cancer, Iowa Principal Does the Unexpected

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A Lesson in Empathy and Solidarity

In a touching display of empathy and leadership, Tim Hadley, the principal of Pekin Middle School in Packwood, Iowa, shaved his head in a school assembly to stand by a student who was bullied for doing the same.

Jackson Johnston, an 11-year-old sixth-grader, had shaved his head over the weekend in a heartfelt gesture of solidarity with his grandfather, who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

Jackson's mother, Amber Johnston, told ABC News that her son wanted to uplift his "Papa's" spirits, who had been feeling down due to the hair loss caused by his treatment.

"He took off his cap and said, 'Hey, Papa! I thought we could start a new club together!'" Johnston recounted, adding that the family patriarch was deeply moved by the act. Jackson returned to school the next day feeling "pumped up, proud, and excited," only to have his spirits crushed by classmates who ridiculed his new appearance.

Turning a Negative Into a Teachable Moment

When Principal Hadley learned of the bullying, he saw an opportunity for education and moral growth.

Rather than restricting the issue to a one-time conversation, he decided to "use this and turn it into a life lesson," he stated. The next morning, Hadley convened an unplanned school assembly where he allowed Jackson to shave his own head, thereby standing in unity with the young boy.

A video of the event has since gone viral, racking up over 84,000 views on Facebook. "My big goal wasn't the act of shaving, but rather, I wanted to show the kids that it's important to stand up for each other and support one another," Hadley told reporters.

The Power of Words

Following the hair-shaving event, Hadley led a dialogue with students about the significance and impact of the words they use.

I said, 'Let's think about it. Are my words going to build others up, or take them down?'" he shared. "And I said, 'I hope all of you choose to build.'

The incident has had a profoundly positive aftermath. According to Amber Johnston, her son has since received an outpouring of kindness and support from his peers.

Even some of the initial bullies have come forward to apologize, stating they actually liked his new haircut.

In an era where bullying is rampant and empathy often scarce, Hadley’s actions serve as a reminder that small gestures can have a lasting impact—educating young minds to stand up for what is right and to treat each other with compassion and respect.