People can do exceptional things
Ashley Park teacher Barry White wins CBS’ ‘Total Knock Out’ competition
Ashley Park teacher Barry White did not expect a video of him greeting
each of his students every morning with personalized handshakes to go viral
last year. But it did.
The video was shown everywhere from Good Morning America to Nightline.
White was even invited to appear on The Steve Harvey Show.
White said the video has offered him, along with his students and school,
many opportunities, but the greatest came this summer when White was
invited to participate on comedian Kevin Hart’s new show, TKO: Total Knock
Out.
Producers from the show saw White’s video and called to ask if he would be
interested in participating in the show.
“They described it as a combination of American Ninja Warrior and
Wipeout,” said White. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But the
producer said it fit my personality, athletic and competitive. So I said yes.”
White immediately started training for the show.
“I was in the gym working on my legs, I was climbing step-ladders
whenever I could,” he said. “On the playground, my students and I were doing
pull-ups on the monkey bars. They were cheering me on.”
The episode featuring White was called “Unsung Heroes” and also included
a nurse and a police officer. Before the show started, White had the opportunity
to meet Hart.
“That man is everything you think he would be,” he said. “He’s a walking
comedy shtick. He brought a lot of fun and positivity to the show. He was
roasting us. There were some comments he made as I was running the
obstacle course that I didn’t even hear. And even though he was making fun of
me, I laughed and laughed. I am originally from Queens, N.Y. I can take it.”
Before the competition began, Hart introduced White as “the handshake
teacher” and even showed a clip from the handshake video.
“Just having Kevin Hart acknowledge my students and to represent CMS
and Ashley Park on a national level was amazing. I am so grateful for that.”
After competing in several challenging obstacle courses, White won the
competition and $50,000. There are several more episodes left of the show.
If his time still qualifies,
White will be invited back
to compete again for more
money.
White immediately sent
his parents on a vacation
and is already thinking
of ways he will use his
winnings in the classroom.
“I am going to plan a
few field trips where we
won’t have to worry about
money,” he said. “We’re
going to do some cool new
projects and update my
classroom to make it more
modern and comfortable.”
White says more than anything, the recognition for his students has been
the best part of this experience.
“To be a Title I school and get this kind of recognition, words can’t even
describe how grateful and overwhelmed with joy I am. “
The teacher knows that his students are watching him for much more than
typical school lessons.
“When I walk into the classroom, I know my kids are watching me. Being
a male educator of color in Charlotte, they are watching how I walk and talk
and interact with people,” he said. “It is a huge responsibility. I am a physical
reminder, right in front of them, that people who look just like them can do
exceptional things.”
There are only a few more episodes of Total Knock Out. White said he’s
sitting on the edge of the couch every week.
“So far, my time is holding up,” he said. “I hope I get the chance to go
back!”
April Johnson is 2018 Teacher of the Year
Joseph Little is 2018 Teacher Assistant of the Year
April Johnson of Tuckaseegee
Elementary has been named the 2018
Teacher of the Year in Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Schools. Joseph Little of
Vance High was named the 2018 Teacher
Assistant of the Year. The awards were
announced at a ceremony at Butler High
School on May 9.
Johnson, an art teacher, attended
Winston-Salem State University where
she earned a degree in arts education.
She worked for the Winston-Salem-
Forsyth County school district and a
charter school before joining CMS in
2016.
Her connection to Tuckaseegee,
however, goes back to childhood. She
attended Tuckaseegee in fourth and
fifth grades. In middle school, Johnson
struggled with academics and behavior. She was assigned to the district’s
alternative school for her ninth-grade year. There wasn’t a designated art
class, but there was an art room where she started spending more and
more time. “Art saved me,” she said. “I started splashing the paint around
and it just felt right. Something clicked. Art is what turned me around.”
Johnson thinks of art as a great equalizer for students. “Everyone can
do something,” she said. “Art allows them to reinvent themselves and do
things they don’t even realize they are capable of doing.”
Johnson received $1,500 from
signature sponsor Charles G. Monnett
III & Associates, a one-year lease on
a new car from Keffer V