Duxbury community rallies for teacher who lost home in fire

A Duxbury High School history teacher is back in the classroom and on his feet after a fire tore through his apartment building just before the holidays.

The young teacher and his wife received an enormous amount of support from students - which he says changed his life.

Just before Christmas, Mike Pravia and his wife were awoken by police as their apartment building in Hull went up in flames.

"I woke to pounding on the door and I could hear outside," said Pravia. "He said the building's on fire. Go right now. There's no time."

They got out safely and even though they lost their home, Pravia was more concerned about his students.

"The night of the fire I was on my phone writing subplans for world history lessons for them to do while I was away," said Pravia.

Almost immediately after the fire, which started in the unit below, students came together and started a GoFundMe account.

"I think everyone heard about it and was devastated by the fire and I thought it was really nice that everyone - teachers, even people that didn't know him would donate," said student Lauren Braga.

That GoFundMe has raised more than $5,500.

"I literally can say I stopped in my tracks and started bawling. I was so overwhelmed how charitable my students were," said Pravia.

Students at Duxbury High School say Mr. Pravia is one of the most well-liked, well-respected and hardest workers in the school.

"He always comes up with the most elaborate presentations, even when he has to go to grad school every night and he always seems to go through the worst things as a person, but always comes through," said student Sam Dobens.

Pravia says he's floored by the amount of love and generosity that the Duxbury community has given him and his wife.

"It really changed the way I view my job. I always had a passion for history, but I've never felt so cemented and support of a community as I do now," said Pravia.

A community that is proving they are better together.

Cox Media Group