Tennessee teacher 'shelf'lessly transforms into elf, delighting elementary students

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVC) — One elementary school teacher in Ooltewah, Tennessee is turning heads, and it's not because of his lesson planning.

PE teacher Andrew Hitchcock of Wallace A. Smith Elementary has been dressing up as Elf on the Shelf and greeting students and parents at the morning pick-up line.

Coach H is so dedicated to his role that he is participating in school pranks, including putting toilet paper all over campus.

Coach H tells us that his reason for dressing up as an Elf on the Shelf is to encourage students during the testing season and to remind them to be themselves.

“I know all the kids love Elf on the Shelf. So I figured why not have a real life Elf on the Shelf come and visit the school every morning, during the testing weeks. We test so much, I want to give the kids opportunity to want to come to school more and get excited for being able to come to school even though they're going to be testing," Hitchcock says.

Some of his other 'elf' shenanigans include puttingballoons all over the main office, having Chattanooga Police chase him around campus, and fishing from the roof.

Remember to share with your children that the real Elf on the Shelf watches over your family during the day, and travels to the north pole every night to tell Santa who has been naughty or nice.

Coach H his good friend.