Educators are known for doing just about anything for their students.
They buy school supplies with their own money. They put together hygiene kits for students who are homeless. They stuff backpacks with food to ensure students and their families have meals over the weekend. But for one teacher in Stamford, Conn., “anything” meant taking in a newborn baby.
Luciana Lira, a bilingual teacher at Hart Magnet Elementary School, agreed to care for her student’s new- born brother while the student and his family recovered from COVID-19.
The student’s mother, Zully*, was eight months pregnant when she was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with the coronavirus.
Hours later, on April 1, baby Neysel was born five weeks early in an emergency cesarean section as his mom was put on a ventilator. When Neysel tested negative for the virus, he needed a temporary home so he wouldn’t get sick. With nowhere to turn, Zully, who is a Spanish speaker, asked for Lira’s help.
“When that mom called me asking for help, it did not even come across my mind not to say yes.” Lira told NBC News.
Linda Darling, the school principal, called Lira “selfless,” and told the Hartford Courant: “She herself was concerned for the welfare of her own child and family. In a split second, Ms. Lira said yes, and totally committed her time and efforts to seeing that this baby was nurtured emotionally and cared for as one of her own.”
On May 14, baby Neysel was reunited with his parents and big brother, who are all home and healthy.
*The family’s last name is being withheld to protect their privacy
