Social media has had a significant impact on the lives of teens. With negativity constantly being spread around, it is hard for students to find positivity from it.
Aliso Niguel High School Principal, Dr. Mahindrakar, has taken the opportunity to use his social media platform to spread some positivity with dad jokes.
When COVID-19 hit the world in 2020, it impacted the lives of students all over the world. Due to the pandemic, students’ faces were covered with masks, making conversations hard and smiling to be hidden.
One thing that could not be hidden was their laughter when hearing Dr. Mahindrakar’s jokes.
Mahindrakar shares, “It started as a random thing with a student at lunch when I told one of my first dad jokes, which is when I realized you can hear laughter behind a mask”.
This small act of telling a simple joke has grown into a spirited tradition that is loved by students.
Mahindrakar also shares, “Students started finding me, asking for a dad joke, and then it kind of just became my thing.”
Many principals find difficulty connecting with the students, but several students’ lives have already been impacted by Dr. Mahindrakar.
These dad jokes have also led to an increase in school spirit. Seniors who are stressed with college and applications reflect on these jokes and admire much of them.
Ariel Christensen (12) shares, “His jokes are funny in the ‘dad joke’ kind of way. I think students, like me, watch his videos and truly appreciate him and his jokes. It just shows that he is really trying and that he really cares about us and the school.”
Principals often are seen as people who students should be scared of, but that is not the case. Dr. Mahindrakar wants to ensure that all students are comfortable talking to him and wants to build strong relationships with all students.
Christensen also shares, “It makes me a little sad knowing that I’ll be leaving in a few months when Dr. Mahindrakar has just made Aliso such a happy place.”
With a simple dad joke, Mahindrakar has been able to get to know students on a first-name basis and bring some joy into the stress-filled lives of students.
Mahindrakar says, “Here at Aliso students will find me and ask for a joke and even when I’m busy I find time, whether it be a lunch or a passing period, to share a joke with any student that wants to hear.”
A positive school environment is crucial to students’ lives and impacts their academic success and mental health.
Dr. Mahindrakar’s dad joke video means much more than it seems. By forming connections with students and taking the time out of his day to find and create these jokes, Dr. Mahindrakar shows that all students have a place at Aliso.
With the school year being a month in, it is safe to say that Dr. Mahindrakar has already made an impact on Aliso and has brought laughter to students with a simple dad joke.
