When Sarah Thompson first met her math professor Josie Ryan, she was just one day away from her due date.
Ryan took a look at Thompson’s belly and told her to bring the baby to class anytime.
Five days later on Friday, August 26, she gave birth to her son Isaiah, who became the youngest student in class the following Monday at just 3 days old.
“I thought if I could make her life easier with breastfeeding and everything, why not do it?” Ryan told TODAY.
While Thompson usually attends the University of South Carolina, she and her boyfriend Christopher Maggiacomo, both 26, moved a little over an hour away to be close to both of their parents in Greenwood, South Carolina.
In an effort to graduate as soon as possible, the applied mathematics major is taking classes at Lander University through the spring.
Sarah Thompson and Christopher Maggiacomo looking at their new baby Isaiah, right after he was born. Courtesy of Sarah Thompson
“I feel so lucky to have such an understanding professor. She even made a point to show me where the breastfeeding room is,” Thompson told TODAY.
The first five minutes of class have been dedicated to “oohing and aahing” over the baby and then it’s time for Isaiah to take a nap.
“I was worried about him being a distraction, but it’s actually made me focus better, knowing he’s right there next to me,” Thompson said. “My classmates feel similarly and say it puts a smile on their faces, which in return, help them in class.”
Baby Isaiah looking super cute. Courtesy of Sarah Thompson
Though the baby rarely makes a peep during class, when he does, Ryan has offered to hold him.
“Sarah doesn’t have enough hands to take notes and hold him and it’s a lot easier for me to hold him while lecturing,” Ryan said.
Read more about this kind and inspiring teacher on Today.