Teacher Barry White Jr. is a grade 5 English teacher in North Carolina, has a personalised handshake for each of his students.
The 5th grade teacher connects with each of his students every morning before class. Each student has their very own handshake and as they step up in front of Barry he remembers their handshake and interacts with the child on that personal level.
“They know when they get to the front door we do our ‘good mornings,’ and then it’s time to go,” “I’m always pumped up and then we start doing the moves and that brings them excitement and pumps them up for a high-energy class.”
Barry created each handshake move to match the personality of his students. It all started with a 4th grade student, she would wait for Barry each morning to do the handshake.
“This year I started making handshakes with the kids at recess. It was just one or two students and then it became contagious. I saw how much it meant to them, so I said, ‘Come on. Everyone come on.’ Then it was my full class, then it was kids from other classes. Now I have 3rd graders wanting to do it too.”
Barry insists that remembering each move isn’t hard, that muscle memory takes over and it just flows naturally. Barry also started a step team, creating an activity that the kids enjoy and brings them together.
The school principal believes that the handshake benefits the students academically as well as emotionally, creating an environment where deep and meaningful relationships make students higher acheivers.
“Barry’s handshakes represent his own authentic take on building those relationships. When I walk into my teachers’ rooms, I see the impact of those strong and trusting relationships. When kids know their teacher cares, they are attentive, engaged and driven to be successful.” – Principal Meaghan Loftus
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