Monday, July 14, 2025
After Gatesville Primary School kindergarten teacher Kendra Pruitt initially pulled an April Fool’s Day joke on her student Jermiah Tatum and his parents, Scott and Nikole, the family returned the favor by reversing the prank.
On April Fool’s Day, Pruitt asked Scott and Nikole to help Jeremiah gather unusual items for a special school project that she said would earn him extra credit. Although she later revealed it was a joke, the Tatum’s decided to take on the challenge and completely surprise her by delivering the items she previously requested.
At first, Nikole said she didn’t realize it was April Fool’s Day and was excited to find the items with Jeremiah. When she discovered it was a joke, she and Scott decided to find the items for Pruitt anyway as a surprise.
According to Nikole, they enjoyed gathering the items, and Scott even turned it into a scavenger hunt, challenging Nikole to see who could find what. The list included an ostrich egg, a patch of kangaroo fur, a giant spoon (at least 12 feet long), snow from Mount Everest, and tiny glasses small enough to fit an average earthworm.
Jeremiah said his favorite part was getting the ostrich egg, and he was amazed by how big it was. He also said he thought it was cool that his dad made the spoon.
“Overall, we just really loved Mrs. Pruitt as his teacher and wanted to have some fun with her,” Nikole said.
Pruitt said she was completely shocked when she discovered the items, along with Scott and Nikole, waiting outside the school. Assistant Principal Tamela Eary helped coordinate the surprise and told Pruitt that she needed to take her students outside for a class photo.
Pruitt’s entire class was able to enjoy the surprise.
“They all loved it, especially the giant ostrich egg and the kangaroo fur,” Pruitt said. “They all wanted to help carry the giant spoon back inside the building.”
Each student had the chance to sign the spoon on the last day of school, which now hangs in Pruitt’s classroom.
“The kangaroo fur is in my classroom too,” Pruitt said. “It will be a great memory to look back on!”
“What I admire most about the Tatum’s response to make initial prank is how creative and good-natured it was. Instead of just laughing it off, they put real thought and effort into the surprise,” she said. “It showed not only a great sense of humor but also how much they value fun and connection—it turned into such a memorable moment for everyone! I hope Jeremiah always remembers it, too!”
“Moments like this are needed in school to build connections, bring joy and make the classroom feel like a welcoming place,” she said.
