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5th March 2019
03:02pm GMT
His wife was due to go and get Assata's birth certificate that day and Hayer said he didn't want her to have to struggle with the infant on public transport.
Hayer, who is also working two jobs while he finishes his degree, remembered that his professor had previously told him he could bring his daughter to class if he ever needed to.
Unable to find a babysitter, Hayer had no choice but to take Dr Alexander up on his offer.
Arriving to class, he told The Washington Post that he felt nervous.
“I had a book bag on and a baby strapped to my chest. I looked crazy.
“Then Dr Alexander saw me and welcomed me with open arms.”
The professor offered to take the five-month-old so Hayer could take notes during the class.
"I don't have children of my own," Dr Alexander told Buzzfeed News.
"I was worried that she would start crying but it actually went perfectly. She was extremely well behaved."
Photos of the professor with the baby were tweeted by students in the class and soon went viral, with commenters praising both Dr Alexander and Hayer.
Teachers can and do change lives.
— Michelle Grosso (@megrosso) March 1, 2019
Not sure why this is making me so emotional, but it is. Good work Prof Alexander.
— Liberal Pittie (@liberalpittie) March 2, 2019
huge respect for the prof obviously but can we talk about the dad still showing up in the first place?! that's one strong and dedicated student/parent. i woulda cried and stayed my ass home.
— Laura (@LAM1086) March 2, 2019
Dr Alexander praised Hayer for juggling his commitments so well.Takes a village...❤️ also kudos to the student who didn’t want to miss class even tho they had no babysitter. I firmly believe you get out of an education what you put in. This student wants to learn. This prof loves to teach. A winning killer combo! ??
— Theresa Baxter (@turissabackstar) March 2, 2019
"This photo serves as a reminder of what parents have to do every day and how important it is to have affordable childcare," he added.
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