Rankin121web

The heart of a teacher not only serves but loves, shapes, and molds each student
as if they were their own child. Local teacher Caribeth Robinson took her love
and compassion one step further by opening her home in a time of need for one
child almost five years ago. That decision has changed her and her family’s life
as well as the life of young Jay Williams.
Caribeth, entering her 16th year of teaching
in the Canton School District, fondly recalls
being able to be involved in her students’ daily
lives over the years.
When 6-year-old Jay was in her second
grade class years ago, he and his family suffered
an unimaginable tragedy. Jay’s family was
victim to a violent crime that involved a gang
related shooting. This shooting riddled their
apartment with bullets and left his 9-year-old
brother shot ten times and severely wounded.
An angel was watching over the boys that night.
Jay walked away unharmed. His older brother
miraculously survived the brutal attack, as
well, but was in need of an extended hospital
stay and the full attention and care of their
mother. Jay was having trouble getting to
school every day. Heartbroken at what her
student was going through, Caribeth felt
called and led to offer a lending hand the
only way she knew how.
Caribeth approached her own family who
were all in favor of offering any help needed so
Jay could remain in school and maintain what
little normalcy he could. With her family on
board, she reached out to Jay’s mother offering
assistance until the woman was able to get her
other son’s health restored and regain her
ability to care for her children. Caribeth and
her family soon opened their home to Jay. She
said, “Jay has been an absolute blessing and a
gift to our family.”
In the following months, the opportunity
presented itself to become legal guardians of
Jay and they jumped without a second thought.
They had all quickly fallen in love with him and
he was already an integral part of their family.
Caribeth and her children, 17-year-old twins
Kate and Kyle Brasher and 15-year-old Kelli
Brasher, already considered Jay “theirs.” The
legal stuff was just a formality at that point.
Since then, Jay has thrived continuously
and the family has worked hard to ease his
transition and to make things as easy as possible
for him. Caribeth sought the help of her
African-American co-workers and friends
to learn the little things to make his life easier.
She remembered, “I took Jay to a regular barber
just not knowing. My principal at the time took
one look at him and asked me what I had done
to him. I just didn’t know.” Looking back and
finding a little humor, she admits there was a
slight learning curve.
Caribeth fondly recalled how her community
and friends have rallied around them and
treated Jay as their own. She said, “Everyone
has been so kind and welcoming.” Jay who
affectionately calls Caribeth “CB” added,
“I love them and I’m glad that they love me.”
Jay’s childhood experience has been
something no child should ever witness. His
resilience, determination, and sheer strength
is astonishing to all who know him.
Jay, now an 11-year-old fifth grader, is a
typical boy that loves sports. Caribeth gushed,
“He is a major baseball player, a true sweetheart,
and just a precious boy.”
Coach Joey Evans has had the opportunity
to coach Jay in baseball on several teams. He said,
“I’m a firm believer that coincidences are what
we often use as a means of explaining God’s
plan that we can’t yet fully understand or see,
and Jay entering my world was no coincidence.”
Admitting he knew early on that Jay was a kid
who had faced more than his share of adversity
he added, “The Jay we know today is not the
first to hang his head. In fact, he is the first to
lift his teammates up when they fall.”
Coach Jason Regan shared the same
sentiments. Both coaches rave about Jay’s
natural athletic talents and abilities. Coach
Regan added, “I watched Jay use the game of
baseball to help him learn how to deal with
adversity and become more mentally tough.”
Jay’s love of baseball is very clear. He said,
“I love having a big brother that always messes
with me and teaches me about baseball. I want
to be able to throw a fastball at 95mph soon.”
Jay extended kind words about his teammates
as well. Bonds like the ones with his family,
coaches, teammates, and teachers have helped
shape who he is today.
One of his favorite teachers, Shelly Gates,
bonded with him over sports. She lovingly
said, “Jay is one amazing kid. He never let his
circumstances define him. He came to school
every day with a smile on his face and a
willingness to work hard.” She admitted these
were the same characteristics of his older sister
Kelli and admirable qualities clearly being
taught at home. She added, “Jay chose to
overcome what was in the past and looks
forward to all that is in his very bright future.”
Of that very future, Jay confidently said,
“I’m going to pitch for the New York Yankees
one day.”
The outcome of a tragedy has grown into
an immense blessing for Caribeth, Jay, and
his siblings, Kate, Kyle, and Kelli. Caribeth
has been Jay’s legal guardian for five years now
and plans to finalize adoption in the future.
Right now, they are just enjoying a full life
with Jay. And Caribeth is relishing in all the
joys of raising her four children.
Hometown RANKIN • 33