Couple's Note, Tip Thanking Teacher Warms Hearts In Howell Group

HOWELL, NJ — In a time where teachers often feel they aren't respected, Catherine Acampora-Nielsen got a reminder over the weekend that there are those who value what teachers do for students.

Acampora-Nielsen, of Howell, is a special education teacher in the Lakewood School District, and for 15 years has spent her weekdays tending to the needs of her students. And like many of her fellow teachers, she holds down a second job, waiting tables on the weekends at Woolley's Seafood Market on Route 9, tending to the needs of customers.

On Sunday, a couple who were her customers reminded Acampora-Nielsen there are people who do appreciate the work done by her she and other teachers.

"Thank you for teaching our kids — teachers shouldn't have to work weekends!" the couple wrote on the receipt, which included a $100 tip.

"They left before I picked up the bill— actually made me cry," she wrote on a post she shared in a closed Facebook group, where she shared a photo of the message along with a note of gratitude.

"To the couple that came into Woolley’s today and left this for me, I can’t thank you enough," wrote Acampora-Nielsen, who gave permission for Patch to share her post and photo. "Lucky there are people out there who appreciate hard workers— hope you two enjoyed your day away from the kids."

Her post, in the Howell Happenings NJ private Facebook group, prompted a number of comments expressing gratitude for the customer's sentiments.

"I happen to work with this amazing teacher!" one woman wrote. "She deserves this tip! She’s excellent!"

"Wow! That is awesome!" another wrote. "I’m a teacher myself and I used to work three jobs at one point."

"It’s so gratifying to see that some people do appreciate the hard work of teachers and the effect they have on their children," one commenter wrote.

"So commendable," another wrote. "And thanks for creating a conversation that illustrates how many of we teachers have had to work more than one job to support our families."

Acampora-Nielsen said she just wanted to thank the couple for their generosity.

The administrators of the Howell Happenings NJ Facebook page shared that sentiment.

"We hope this note gets back to this couple and lets them know how much of an impact they made in this person's life, and a huge thank you for making a difference."

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