Students at Mt. Baker Middle School got a surprise visit last week.

Jeremiah Carter, a popular algebra teacher who was injured in a Nov. 25 accident that left him paralyzed, returned to cheers, hugs and smiles at a pep assembly.

It was the first appearance at the Auburn school for Carter. He has been recovering from injuries sustained after he fell off a 40-foot bluff while cutting down a Christmas tree near Crystal Mountain.”I can’t tell you how good it feels to be back in this place again,” Carter said in front of a frenzied crowd of students assembled in the gymnasium last Friday.

Carter then resumed his duty of announcing the Pride Couch recipients, three students – one from each grade – who are honored with a comfy spot on a sofa during the school’s quarterly pep rallies.

“It was great that he could come back and do it,” Principal Greg Brown said. “It just hasn’t been the same here without him. It was amazing to have him back where he belongs, even it was for just a day.”

The appearance was an opportunity for Carter – who hopes to resume teaching at the school next year – to personally thank the students who participated in fundraising activities. More than $7,000 has been raised toward remodeling his house to make it wheelchair friendly.

More fundraising is planned. The Washington National Golf Club hosts Jerry’s Wheels Charity Tournament and Dinner Auction on March 24 to raise money for the Carter family.

For more information, visit www.jerryswheels.wordpress.com.