3rd-grader offers teacher his birthday money because 'teachers don't get paid enough'

A third-grade boy made a sweet gesture last week when he offered his teacher a portion of his birthday money to show his appreciation for all she does in the classroom.

Parker Williams, 9, took $15 to school and attached the cash to a note which read, "Dear Mrs. Chambers, I don't think that teachers get paid enough for what they do so will you except (sic) this gift?"

Gorrie Elementary School teacher Mary Hall Chambers told "Good Morning America" that she first thought the $15 was field trip money.

"When I looked at the note I said, 'Oh my gosh, this is the cutest thing I've ever seen,'" Chambers said. "I wrote the little [reply] note and I said, 'Parker, this is so sweet and such a kind gesture ... I can' t take your money, but I really appreciate you looking out for me.'"

Mom Jen Williams of Tampa, Florida, told "GMA" she had no idea Parker tried giving his birthday money to Chambers until seeing it in his folder.

"Tears sprung out of eyes and we said, 'Parker, what is this?'" Williams recalled. "He said, 'I love Mrs. Chambers and I wanted to give back. Teachers don't get paid enough.'"

"Mrs. Chambers is emailing us many evenings giving us ways Parker can improve, and things he's done well," she added. "It's becoming more of a 24/7 type job, but they're getting paid on the lower end of the pay scale. They are not rewarded entirely for the amount they helping develop the next generation of children becoming adults."

Williams said her son is a "sponge" and his grandmother is a career counselor, which is most likely how he learned some educators have lower salaries.

Parker is no stranger to giving back. He and his two older brothers started a club called the Young Philanthropist Society where they volunteer and perform good deeds in their community.

"We try to teach the importance of paying it forward -- understanding that if you are blessed with resources, one of the best things you can do is share them," Williams said.

"Seeing him living in that way makes us incredibly proud as parents," she said.