An elementary school janitor was given a heartwarming send-off as both children and teachers came together to celebrate his recent college graduation.

Per ABC News, Derrick Harris had been a very popular janitor at Wacoochee Elementary School in Salem, Alabama, where he worked for years.

On May 25, the last day of school, the students and teachers decided to surprise Harris with a farewell graduation celebration.

He was cheered and applauded as he walked through the halls for the last time. Some of the kids held up sweet signs for him - one of which read: "You're my hero!"

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Harris even shared a video of the touching event, writing in the caption:

"Words cannot explain the surprise I got this morning from my coworkers & students what I thought Tracie Freeman Lane wanted me to take pictures in my cap and gown turned into a victory lap.

"As I’m currently in the process of closing this chapter of my life to opening another. I just wanted to say thank you to my coworkers, students, & parents that put their trust in me over the past years.

"I loved working at Wacoochee Elementary now it’s time to impact students at West Forest Intermediate School."

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Harris recently graduated from Wallace Community College Selma and plans to attend Auburn University at Montgomery in the fall.

He credits the staff at the school with helping him come up with a college plan to enable him to attend classes at night and continue his work as a janitor at the school during the day.

Harris, who aspires to be a physical education teacher, told World News Tonight last week that he has been given a job as a PE assistant.

"I'm excited to work with more kids and more students and impact them in a positive way," Harris told the outlet.

He also added that the best piece of guidance he can give is to stay positive. "Just keep going in life," he continued. "I don't get down too much on myself on things that are going on around me. I just keep going."

Featured image credit: Michael Burrell / Alamy

Elementary school comes together to celebrate beloved janitor's college graduation