Zac Bauermaster: Engaging With Kids Every Day

Zac Bauermaster has long recognized the power of connection in education, but only recently has he become internet-famous for his efforts to build student engagement and trust. One Instagram video of him high-fiving kids in the hallways of Pennsylvania’s Providence Elementary School has garnered more than 23 million views to date (@zbauermaster).

Bauermaster previously worked as a social studies teacher, a coach, an assistant principal, and an online learning administrator, and he now looks to create a familial sense of shared purpose. “My goal as a principal is to create a school where kids want to be, a place that staff want to be, and a place that families trust and are proud to send their kids,” he told People magazine.

That philosophy goes well beyond Fist Bump Fridays. Bauermaster has written four books—a children’s picture book co-authored with his daughter and three enthusiastic tomes on leadership that encourage team members to bring their best selves to work. “It really does create a domino effect,” he says.

Principal magazine asked Bauermaster about student engagement, relationships, and social media. Here’s what he said:

What are the goals that drive how you approach the job of principal?

As a principal, I prioritize caring. My goal is for school to be a place where kids want to go, staff want to be, and families are proud to send their kids. I want every student and staff member to know they matter.

How do you support your staff and build relationships?

I use an acronym—PEOPLE—to guide my daily interactions: Prioritize people, Empathize, Observe, Pray, Love, and Encourage. I aim to create an environment where staff can be their best personally and professionally by noticing their needs, responding with compassion, and celebrating their contributions.

What is your favorite part of the school day as principal?

Greeting kids at the door in the morning. Being there lets them know: “I see you and I’m here for you.” I also love seeing their curiosity and childlike wonder; it reminds me to carry that joy as an adult. We can never lose our childlike wonder.

What is the best book you’ve read in the last year (for personal PD)?

Love Does by Bob Goff. It [says] love isn’t just a feeling but also an action we can choose every day.

What hidden talents do you have that aid in your leadership role?

I’m a listener—my wife might tell you differently—and storyteller, which helps me connect with people. I take ordinary, everyday moments and turn them into lessons of encouragement to connect, inspire, and empower staff and students.

How do you spread hope and encouragement to the students in your school?

Leadership isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the little moments. I make sure students know I see them and am in their corner by greeting them at the door, visiting classrooms, walking the hallways, spending time in the cafeteria, and acknowledging everyone I pass.

What is the best “leadership moment” you’ve had since becoming a principal?

[That moment] came at the end of the 2024–2025 school year when our school counselor, Mrs. [Stephanie] Stoltzfus, met with every student. One of the questions she asked was whether they felt like they have an adult in the building that they trust, and 100 percent of the kids said they did!

What do you like to do in the off hours?

I love spending time with my wife, Carly, and three kids, Olivia, Eliot, and Isaac. We are currently on a quest to visit every Major League Baseball stadium as a family. I also love coaching my kids and the kids in the community in youth sports.