#23 Failure To Touch                            Enough...
The subject of touching a student makes beads of sweat pop up on most teachers' foreheads... even the thought sends shivers and shakes throughout a perfectly healthy body... for some very legitimate reasons.

Many say lawyers will love you if you touch a student... Maybe! You and I both know we're all begging to be appreciated... begging to feel important... begging to feel like somebody. A caring and correct... gentle touch does it all.

Willing to risk a touch? Hope so!

Think about this... To touch... is to touch a life forever! Sounds pretty corny... I know, but it's true! The right touch is awesome!

Touching can be tough, but if you avoid the tremendous benefits derived from a caring touch of concern, then that’s a mistake, and everyone loses!

A touch communicates in one milimicrosecond that you care... and caring counts. Bunches!

One of the best touches is a simple handshake accompanied with a few kind words. Eyes light up when you touch and show you care.

Another effective touch is simply placing your hand on a student’s shoulder. That touch must be done with utmost care and consideration... You know what I mean! Common sense dictates when and if.

A caring touch says it all!

You've heard it a thousand and one times...  "Students DON'T care how much you know, until they know how much you CARE!"

Previously, I mentioned my educational experiences in prison. Another monumental lesson I learned from inmates is the importance of a firm and caring handshake.

I would estimate that 95% of the inmates I encountered in my twenty plus years in prison education didn’t know how to shake hands.

When I would shake an inmate's hand, it normally felt like a wet... limp fish. Their eyes would instantly make contact with their shoes... a sure indication of their level of self-esteem.

One of my primary goals was to teach inmates how to shake hands like a normal everyday person. It worked wonders.

A handshake is a simple touch that brings instant smiles and feelings of importance to the giver and receiver. It's just good medicine!.

Want to learn the 5's of Meeting and Greeting? Read the How to....

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Survey your class and determine at least five students who need to be touched emotionally and physically. Normally these are the five "least lovable" students! You know who they are. They're the ones... when they're absent from your class... you celebrate!

Ask them to come to the front of the class. Find something special to say about those students and reach out and shake their hands in a way that demonstrates concern... not control.

Explain to the class the importance of a good handshake. Demonstrate the difference in the "fish" handshake and one that shows high levels of self-worth...

Then, give them the 5 S's of Meeting and Greeting.... demonstrate and explain each in detail! Then, practice... practice... practice!

See... good eye contact... Stand... good posture... Smile... life-loving grin... Speak... say it to be heard... Shake... firm and friendly...

For your own pleasure, notice the look on each face. You’ll see surprise and appreciation. You've just touched a life in a positive way.

Feels good. Real good!

Collect your courage and gently touch a student’s shoulder as you help him. The bonding is instant and effective. Use good common sense here!

Remember it's always your choice... We all want to feel like we're special and important... A caring... kind touch conveys both in seconds!

"With Risk comes Rewards!"

All the touches I advocate are mature and caring... designed to demonstrate your concern for another human being. If you have another touch in mind... that's your problem!

The key to being human is to show you care, and touching communicates that caring more effectively than any other way I know.

Force yourself to “act” differently than you feel!
Risk a touch today... tomorrow and for as long as you care! Smiles to you...

Touch, and touch a life today,
Karl