Charlotte elementary school helps teacher in need

A local community is coming together to help a teacher in need. Kari Jones is a first grade teacher at Elon Park Elementary.

Jones has been out of the classroom for a month because of a medical emergency. After a visit to the emergency room, she found out she needed a kidney transplant.

Jones has been on dialysis since January. Her fellow teachers told FOX 46 they didn't even know what she was going through.

"No one at the school even knew she was sick, because it never affected her demeanor," teacher Meghan Beasley said.

Beasley told FOX 46 some teachers started donating their sick days to make sure she took care of her medical needs. Craig Higgins, dean of students, says it was the right thing to do.

"We really have this family atmosphere that really supports each other. I think that demonstrates how our school community can come together to help someone," Higgins said.

Jones has been a teacher at Elon Park for three years. She says it's been difficult not being in the classroom for a month, but that the school helped her during the transition.

Her teacher friends describe her as an energetic teacher that goes above and beyond for her students. So it was only right they went above and beyond for her.

A GoFundMe page titled "Kids Karing 4 Kari's Kidneys" has been set up to help with her medical bills. Jones says she's thankful for all their efforts.

"They came to see me at the hospital. They came to my classroom and made sure the subs were all prepared, that I didn't have to worry about doing anything," Jones said.

As she waits for a donor that's the right match, Jones says her struggle is easier to deal with knowing that she has a strong support system.