• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • 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
  • Living
  • Good News

Teacher visits, sings 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' to students

0:52
Teacher makes special visit to her students to sing "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough"
Courtesy of Dawn Thompson
ByHaley Yamada
June 23, 2020, 8:56 PM

When this New York City teacher missed her pre-K students amid coronavirus, instead of sending them a message, she sang it.

To brighten each student's day and still foster a connection, Dawn Thompson traveled to her 21 students' homes giving each a concert by singing, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

Related Articles

MORE: I'm a Black mother who adopted a white baby. Here's why I carry his adoption papers.

With a speaker and a sign that read, "I'll always be here!" Thompson, a teacher at Elijah G. Stroud Elementary school in Brooklyn, New York, sang loud and proud. One of those moments was caught on camera and later shared in New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's daily coronavirus newsletter.

Dawn Thompson visiting her students with the song "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," in Brooklyn, New York.
Courtesy of Dawn Thompson

"One morning after [online class] with them,

"I'm like 'this is not enough. I need to see them. I need to let them know that I'll always be here,'" she said. "They're so used to seeing their friends every day and seeing me every day and getting hugs, and now they're confined."

Thompson said her first step was reaching out to all of their parents and asking for feedback on her outside visit, just to make sure everyone was comfortable with the idea. She said she only received positive comments.

"Here is our address! Please come! The kids will love to see you! We would love to see you!" she recalled.

Editor’s Picks

Here's how to get started on all your summer fun with the kids

  • Jun 13, 2020

How to create the ultimate summer bucket list in 3 easy steps

  • Jun 13, 2020

22 online camps approved by Common Sense Media

  • Jun 13, 2020

Camille Hunt, the mother of 4-year-old student Ruby Holmsten, said as a parent it was touching to see Thompson go above and beyond for her students.

"[Thompson didn't just] sing the chorus, but the entire song in front of our apartment," she said, noting that neighbors were standing on the balconies clapping. "It was great. I mean, I think at that point, they hadn't been in school in a month-and-a-half and that was right when they were realizing they weren't going back anytime soon."

Dawn Thompson pictured with a student at another one of her multiple visits during reopening phases of New York, in Brooklyn, New York.
Courtesy of Dawn Thompson

Hunt said Ruby was surprised to see her teacher outside of the classroom, but the shock quickly turned to excitement.

Related Articles

MORE: From playgrounds to play dates and pools: What is safe for kids to do this coronavirus summer

"I think in some kids' minds, they don't imagine their teachers living outside of school," said Hunt. "But then [Ruby] started listening to the lyrics and got what was going on, it was really sweet."

Thompson said her school has been implementing remote learning since mid-March.

"I didn't want to just show up with a mask on my face. I wanted to make the visits fun and interactive, because in the classroom, we're singing and dancing a lot. I play a lot of music," said Thompson.

Dawn Thompson delivers a plant to a student during the reopening phase of New York, in Brooklyn, New York.
Courtesy of Dawn Thompson

"It's not good enough to stand there for a picture. I'm from the Caribbean, from Trinidad, we love music. Music is a part of our life ... especially if you want a song that says something," Thompson added.

Thompson, who has made more visits since the performance, says she plans to continue to visit her students at a safe, social distance.

Related Topics

  • Good News

Editor’s Picks

Here's how to get started on all your summer fun with the kids

  • Jun 13, 2020

How to create the ultimate summer bucket list in 3 easy steps

  • Jun 13, 2020

22 online camps approved by Common Sense Media

  • Jun 13, 2020

Up Next in Living—

More than 67K cases of Power Stick deodorant products voluntarily recalled

July 17, 2025

It's World Emoji Day: Science suggests using these tiny symbols makes you more likable

July 17, 2025

Uber Eats adds more grocery and convenience stores accepting SNAP, EBT

July 16, 2025

Paranormal investigator who helped lead 'Annabelle' doll themed tour dies suddenly

July 16, 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