• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Family

This teacher brought his students to father-daughter dance after they lost their dad

0:42
Teacher brings students to father-daughter dance after they lost their dad
Steve Culbert
ByNicole Pelletiere
October 25, 2018, 8:02 AM

A kind teacher escorted two of his former students to a daddy-daughter dance after they experienced a heartbreaking loss.

Steve Culbert of Davidson, Michigan, took Alivia Reece, 7, and Avery Reece, 8, to the event on Oct. 13, along with his own daughters, Aliyah Culbert, 6, and Hailey Culbert, 8.

"I had gone up to the hospital to visit and even talking to mom -- I knew the outlook wasn't so good with dad," Culbert told "Good Morning America." "The dad-daughter dance was coming up. My wife and I talked and she said, 'You need to take them.'"

Alivia Reece, 7 (in coral) and Avery Reece, 8 (in blue), to the father daughter dance along with his own daughters, Aliyah Culbert, 6 (in purple) and Hailey Culbert, 8 (in green), attended the father daughter dance together.
Steve Culbert
Alivia Reece, 7, and Avery Reece, 8, release balloons in honor of their late father alongside their friends, Aliyah Culbert, 6,and Hailey Culbert, 8.
Steve Culbert
I wanted to make it as big of night as possible for these girls.

"My daughters were excited to take their friends with us," he added. "I wanted to make it as big of [a] night as possible for these girls."

Alivia and Avery's dad, Luke Reece, died Sept. 19 after a blood condition put him in cardiac arrest. He was 32 years old.

For the dance, Culbert, who taught both girls in second grade, surprised the sisters with a stretch limo and a day of beauty. Members of the community bought the dresses for Avery and Alivia and Culbert's daughters, so the four of them could match in their favorite colors.

Steve Culbert, a teacher from Davidson, Michigan, escorted his former students Alivia Reece, 7 (seen earing coral) and Avery Reece, 8 (seen wearing blue), to the father daughter dance after their own father died.
Steve Culbert

Editor’s Picks

Students surprise teacher on last day of chemo: 'I'm extremely grateful'

  • Sep 21, 2018

Teacher overcome with emotion as former student reveals she's giving him her kidney

  • Oct 16, 2018

Police escort son of fallen officer to 1st day of kindergarten

  • Sep 03, 2018

Prior to the big night, the girls released balloons in honor of Avery and Alivia's dad. Each balloon had the hashtag #BeLikeLuke written on them to symbolize Luke Reece as an organ donor. The evening concluded with an ice cream treat, Culbert said.

PHOTO: Alivia Reece, 7, and Avery Reece, 8,  are seen in an undated photo with their late father, Luke Reece.
Alivia Reece, 7, and Avery Reece, 8, are seen in an undated photo with their late father, Luke Reece.
Steve Culbert

Shelley Reece, the girls' mom, said she was thrilled that Culbert offered to bring her daughters to the dance -- a night that her husband always looked forward to having with his girls.

"I am forever grateful," she told "GMA." "Having Avery come home that evening and tell me Mr. Culbert brought her smile back was all a mother could ask for."

Culbert said he hopes to help set up a college fund for Avery and Alivia.

PHOTO: Steve Culbert, a teacher from Davidson, Michigan, escorted his former students Alivia Reece, 7 (in coral) and Avery Reece, 8 (in blue), to the father daughter dance along with his own daughters, Aliyah Culbert, 6 (in purple) and Hailey Culbert, 8.
Steve Culbert, a teacher from Davidson, Michigan, escorted his former students Alivia Reece, 7 (in coral) and Avery Reece, 8 (in blue), to the father daughter dance along with his own daughters, Aliyah Culbert, 6 (in purple) and Hailey Culbert, 8 (in green).
Steve Culbert

Editor’s Picks

Students surprise teacher on last day of chemo: 'I'm extremely grateful'

  • Sep 21, 2018

Teacher overcome with emotion as former student reveals she's giving him her kidney

  • Oct 16, 2018

Police escort son of fallen officer to 1st day of kindergarten

  • Sep 03, 2018

Up Next in Family—

Mom welcomes triplets after 10 years of thinking she couldn't have any more kids

July 10, 2025

Moms of 'kidfluencers' defend sharing their lives online

July 9, 2025

Anne Hathaway shares rare glimpse into life at home as mom and wife

July 8, 2025

What to know about Patrick Mahomes' wife Brittany and their kids

July 8, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News