A Texas high school principal shocked everyone when he wrote personal letters to all 443 graduating seniors.
Most of us have that one teacher who influenced us the most through their kind words and actions.
Maybe it was the coach who pulled you aside after a tough game and patted your shoulder, or the teacher who wrote an encouraging note on your paper.
We never forget their faces or those special moments that helped shape who we are today.
For 443 students at Summit High School, that person was Coach Mutt, who wrote each of them a personal letter on their graduation day.
Jason Mutterer serves as principal at Mansfield Summit High School in Arlington, Texas. Students call him “Coach Mutt” because he used to coach basketball. He has worked at the school for over 20 years since it first opened.
During graduation, Coach Mutt did something amazing. He turned away from all the parents and family members in the audience. Instead, he spoke straight to his students.
When he handed each graduate their diploma, he also gave them a handwritten letter and one dollar.
“They’re my kids, they’re my students. It’s personal,” Mutterer told reporters. The idea came to him while he was mowing his lawn. He remembered a letter his own teacher wrote to him in high school. That letter changed his life.
“I was supposed to be a fourth or fifth generation farmer,” Coach Mutt explained. “My government teacher just said that you can go to college and can succeed in college, and I kept that because somebody saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.”
Writing 443 personal letters took him more than 24 hours. Each letter was different. He included nicknames, specific thanks, and details that showed he really knew each student.
“He knows almost everybody by name. He knows something going on in everybody’s lives,” said graduate Eduardo Estrada. Another graduate, Daniel Ezenagu, shared his amazement: “I don’t even know how he does it.”
Student Andrea Lozada said Coach Mutt was different from other principals. “Most principals don’t go out of their way to go to students’ events, basketball games. He is always there.”
The students treasured their letters. Eduardo kept his and said, “He made every one of us feel seen and loved.” Daniel still carries his letter that starts with “Dan the Man,” his nickname.
Coach Mutt explained why he included the dollar bill. “A dollar seems insignificant, but if 443 kids are doing random acts of kindness every day, it has a huge impact on our society.”
God puts people like Coach Mutt in our lives for a reason. Maybe you can be that person for someone else today.
A simple note, a kind word, or just showing up can mean everything to someone who needs to know they matter.
WATCH: Texas Principal Surprises Every Graduate with a Personal Letter
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