What a great way to really connect!
If you regularly attend a barbershop or hair salon, you know there’s no friendship like the one between you and your barber or stylist. It is a special type of kinship birthed from having someone see you on your worst hair day and allowing said person to make you look and feel great again!
Well that’s exactly what this Delaware Principal is doing. Terrance Newton, the principal at Warner Elementary school in Wilmington, Delaware has started cutting his students’ hair as a way to connect with them more, Delaware Online reports.
Student Brandon Ponzo gets a shape up by Principal Newton. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Habraken/Delaware News Journal
Newton has set up a faux barbershop experience inside his school. There are clippers, brushes and all the trimmings of a shop along with an actual barber’s chair and cape. Newton allows students to come into his barbershop where he cuts their hair with the hopes of bonding with them in a more casual setting. He even allows other students to wait while they all chat and catch up.
Students Jihad Turner, Left and Isiah Wright chat with Principal Newton at the barbershop. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Habraken/Delaware News Journal
Self esteem has often been interrelated with academic performance. Students who exhibit more positive attitudes about their self image and self abilities tend to fare better in school, academically and socially. And with teachers doing all they can to foster healthy environments for students to learn, this simple barbershop concept by Principal Newton is a game changer. It reminds us of an extended version of the DC kindergarten teacher who created an entire self care day for his elementary school students.
According to the school website, Warner Elementary has received the National Green Ribbon Award for their work in recycling, saving energy, saving water and growing their own food.
Thank you for all the work you’re doing Principal Newton. Because of you, they can!