4. The Power of a High Five!

Please check out my other podcast, "Walking with the Savior," for daily inspiration on your walk with the Savior. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2414656/episodes/19150246

email: seminaryhelper@gmail.com

Please leave a rating and review and share with all your fellow seminary teachers. 

Transcript

0:00

Welcome to LDS Seminary Teacher Helper. I'm John Merrill Kirkman, and today's message is about teamwork. Great teaching starts with relationships. One of the most powerful tools for class unity and team development is something incredibly simple: a high five. That's it. A hand slap, a smile, a quick moment of connection. But research has shown that high fives and positive physical gestures actually change the chemistry and culture of a team, and in our case, I believe, a classroom. Researchers studied NBA teams and discovered something fascinating. The teams that had the highest levels of high fives, fist bumps, chest bumps, and positive touch at the beginning performed better together later in the season, not just emotionally, statistically. They had better teamwork, better cooperation, and often more success on the court. Why? Because those tiny moments communicate something powerful."I see you. You matter."We're together. You belong here." Great teams are not built only on talent. Great classes are not built only on lessons. They're built on connection. And sometimes connection starts with something as simple as standing at the door and greeting students. Imagine this. A student walks into class tired, awkward, maybe invisible. And before they sit down, a teacher smiles, gives them a high five and says,"Hey, you're awesome. So glad you're here. You matter. You're going to do great today." That takes maybe two seconds, but for some students, that may be the most positive thing anyone says to them all day. Those moments change atmospheres. A classroom can go from cold to connected, from quiet to unified, from a group of individuals to a team. And honestly, even adults feel this. Think about how different it feels when someone greets you warmly instead of ignoring you. Human beings are wired for encouragement and belonging. In sports, coaches know this. Championship teams celebrate small wins. They slap hands after effort plays. They encourage constantly because energy spreads. And the same thing happens spiritually and emotionally in a classroom. When students start hearing,"You're awesome. Good to see you. I'm proud of you. You belong here," walls start coming down. Participation rises, trust increases, unity grows. What if one of the greatest teaching tools isn't just what happens during the lesson, but what happens in the

John Kirkman 2:25

first fifteen seconds at the door? A high five may seem small, but small things create a big culture. And maybe one of the simplest ways we can become better teachers, leaders, parents, or teammates is this. Look people in the aisle smile, welcome them,

2:42

lift them. One high five at a time. Remember now, you're awesome!