This sweet bus driver held a nervous student’s hand on the first day of school

The first day of school can be overwhelming for any kid. Just ask 4-year-old Axel Johnson, who was more than a little nervous on his way to the first day of pre-kindergarten this year. The little guy began to cry and didn’t want to leave his mom’s side when the bus came to pick him up.

In order to comfort him, bus driver Isabel Lane reached back and held his hand during the ride. Axel’s mom, Amy Johnson, snapped a picture of the sweet gesture, which was then shared on Facebook by the police department in their hometown of Augusta, Wisconsin, where it soon went viral:

“We really need to shout out our school staff,” the photo’s caption read. “This is one of our wonderful bus drivers, Miss Lane, holding the hand of a scared little one on his first day of school!”

The department went on to praise the kindness of the school district’s staff: “The compassion we see every day in our teachers, bus drivers, custodians, administration, food service staff and paraprofessionals is truly admirable. We are so fortunate to be able to partner with these people!”

The post has now been shared more than 600 times, and it has more than 2,000 reactions and more than 150 comments. That moment of kindness has clearly resonated with many people, many of whom have probably struggled with putting their own kids on the bus for the first time.

“I’ve had parents message me on Facebook, thanking me for my small act and sharing that they hope the bus driver their child gets would do the same,” Lane told “Good Morning America.” “It just really makes me feel good that I’ve impacted this many people.”

Axel’s mom is super-grateful for Lane’s kindness as well, and it has apparently helped him adjust to the new experience.

“Now he gets on the bus every day ready to go and loves school,” Johnson told CNN.

Here’s to everyone who goes above and beyond their job description to help new students who need a little encouragement to get used to going to school!