The Chemistry of Connection: 1,000+ Fist Bumps a Day

Legacy High School chemistry teacher Ross Doty has turned a simple gesture into a daily reminder that every student deserves to be seen.

Ross Doty measures connection one fist bump at a time.

During Legacy High School’s graduation ceremony in May 2026, Doty shared how a handful of casual fist bumps grew into a schoolwide ritual – and a way to help students feel seen and acknowledged.

He even bought a clicker to keep track.

His daily count generally lands somewhere between 800 and 1,200.

“I have the calluses to prove it,” Doty told Legacy’s graduating class.

The ritual began with a simple idea that acknowledging students consistently helps build connections. The tradition grew from Legacy’s work with Capturing Kids’ Hearts, a program focused on giving educators the tools they need to connect with students, build a sense of belonging, and establish shared expectations to create safe, supportive learning environments. Legacy is one of seven schools across the district to integrate Capturing Kids’ Hearts programming.

Doty already considered relationship-building one of his strengths, but he wanted to find a way to reach as many students as possible. It started modestly, with a couple fist bumps here and there. Then came one student’s unexpectedly enthusiastic fist bump.

That moment helped turn a small gesture into a schoolwide tradition. Today, students passing Doty in Legacy’s hallways know to expect an outstretched fist – and a spirited “woo-hoo” to mark the exchange.

Most of those fist bumps come from students who have never stepped inside his classroom. And that’s by design, he said. Even when a student leaves him hanging, Doty counts the interaction as a success.

“We’ve still connected,” he said. “We acknowledged each other, and that matters more than we think.”

Allyson Enriquez-Corchado, the graduating senior who introduced Doty at Legacy’s ceremony, knew firsthand how his encouragement could help a student grow. It was Doty who first encouraged her to pursue the opportunity to speak at the ceremony. 

Her presence at the podium was itself evidence of his ability to recognize potential in students and give them the confidence to step forward.

“Mr. Doty has a silly, free-spirited personality that brings energy and humor into the classroom,” she shared. “But it’s clear he cares about his students and wants them to succeed. He showed that he’s invested in our growth.”

That combination of humor, encouragement and genuine care has helped Doty create an environment where students feel supported to build confidence, take on challenges and discover what they can accomplish. His fist bumps may be playful, but the message behind them is meaningful.

Growth in school is often measured through grades, accomplishments and milestones. Doty’s practice reflects something less easily measured: the confidence and connection that can grow when students are consistently acknowledged. And at Legacy, he creates hundreds of those moments each day.