by Sieglinde Levery-Nicholas

Several years ago, a woman named Laura Schroff wrote a book called An Invisible Thread, about the connection she had made with a then-homeless stranger named Maurice.

Their friendship, documented in her book, struck a chord with the world and went on to become an international bestseller. Because of this, Schroff began receiving stories from people all over the globe about significant kind acts and connections they had made in their lives.

Last year, Ms. Schroff decided to work on a new book containing several of these stories and some new ones of her own. While she was researching a particular chapter, she began looking into the concept of a "Kindness Class."

It was at that point she came across (PSCS co-founder and Director) Andy Smallman's website, Kind Living. She was impressed to discover that Andy had been offering classes on kindness and connections for well over 20 years and thought he may have a story or two to tell. Those of you who know Andy are probably laughing right now because OF COURSE Andy had stories!

The two of them spoke for a while and Andy talked about his childhood, founding PSCS, and why, after 20 years of kindness curriculum he doesn't call it teaching. "He calls it 'facilitating.' "

"He [Andy] started one of the very first, if not the first, Kindness Class for students—yet his goal isn’t to teach kindness, it’s to create an environment in which kindness can flourish. His philosophy is based on his belief that 'we, as human beings, are fundamentally kind. It’s just that a lot of things end up interfering with that along the way.' ”

The finished chapter in Ms. Schroff's book also discusses the relationship Andy formed with one of his students back in the '90s when he was a teacher at The Little School in Bellevue, Washington.

"One of Andy’s biggest inspirations was a student named Johnny. Johnny was in his class at the private elementary school where Andy taught before starting [Puget Sound Community School]. 'Reading and writing were difficult for him because he had a learning disability,' Andy says, 'but he was one of the sweetest, most sincere human beings I’d ever met. I was worried he’d end up in a school where someone told him there was something wrong with him. But there was nothing wrong with him.' "

Schroff notes it was soon after that Andy and his wife, Melinda Shaw, founded PSCS and Johnny continued on there through high school (he also took every kindness class Andy offered while he was enrolled). They are still friends and continue working together to this day.

“ 'He [Johnny] works with kids on the autism spectrum and helps families with special needs children,” Andy says proudly. 'I still bring him into the school to talk, and we both tell kindness stories. Kind things we did, kind deeds we read about. It’s like we’re kindness counselors.' ”

Angels on Earth: Inspiring Stories of Fate, Friendship, and the Power of Connections by Laura Schroff, is out now and has been getting some pretty significant publicity. Not only was Laura interviewed on the TODAY Show recently, but the book was promoted on the side of a building in Times Square.

You can find her book here and don't forget to check out Andy's online kindness activities at Kind Living. He's also currently offering a kindness class at PSCS for middle and high school students.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the chapter featuring Andy and Johnny is called The Facilitator.

Seems appropriate, no?