What started as a simple video for his students quickly turned into something much bigger.
Mr. B, a special needs teacher in Mooresville, recorded a short video to explain why there was no school and why a field trip had been canceled. His goal was straightforward: keep it simple, use visuals, show clear body language, reassure his students, and add a little silliness, just like he does every day in class. He wanted every one of his differently abled students to understand without needing follow-up questions. He even tested the video on his wife first, telling himself that if she had questions, then he had missed the mark.
Shortly after sending it to his students, his wife secretly posted the video to TikTok for everyone to see because she loved it so much. He didn’t find out about the TikTok post until it went viral and she told him.
He never expected the response that followed.
When the comments started pouring in, Mr. B says he was shocked and brought to tears. A video meant only for his students became a positive gathering place online. People shared stories about loved ones with disabilities. Some called him a modern-day Mr. Rogers. Others repeated his closing line back to him: “And remember, Mr. B loves you.” In a world where negativity often dominates social media, the kindness left him speechless.
Mr. B is originally from New York but has lived in North Carolina for most of his life. He is 28 years old and married to his wife, Keren. Outside the classroom, he enjoys reading, listening to polka music by Jimmy Sturr, taking trips to Walt Disney World with his wife and his best friend Brandon, growing his LEGO collection, making his wife watch Star Wars, meeting new people, and treating himself to Chick-fil-A more than he probably should. Most importantly, he says he loves praising Jesus for what He has given him and what He has brought him through.
His path into special education began back in eighth grade.
One morning, he followed a friend down a hallway he had never needed to walk before. She led him into a self-contained classroom. Until that moment, he did not even know classrooms like that existed. He had classmates with learning disabilities, but he had never truly seen students with more significant needs in his regular classes.
When he walked in, the teacher asked if he was one of the new peer buddies. He did not know what that meant, but something clicked. He felt a pull to stay, so he said yes.
From there, he volunteered whenever he could. Over time, he began to see how talented and gifted the students were, how they communicated, and how deeply they loved the people around them. He also saw how often they were excluded and misunderstood. That experience changed him. He knew he wanted to spend his life bringing awareness, inclusion, and opportunity to students who are so often misjudged.
Today, his classroom days are full from start to finish.
Students begin their mornings with Mentor Buddies, personal hygiene routines, and watching their favorite student news anchor, Coy Wire, on CNN10. From there, they move into adapted electives and morning classes like reading, math, dual-immersion Spanish, and technology. After lunch and free time come life skills, social science, writing, and independent work stations, followed by snack time and club or free time with Mentor Buddies.
Fridays are reserved for “Fun Fridays,” filled with nature hikes, field trips, cooking, experiments, crafts, gardening, and hands-on activities.
It is a busy schedule, but Mr. B says it is always fun.
What brings him the most joy is helping his students overcome hurdles they once could not, then watching their pride when they succeed. He loves finding creative ways to support that growth because, as he says, everyone can do something. It just may take a different path to get there.
Each year, the end-of-year award ceremony reminds him why his work matters. Parents, therapists, elective teachers, lunch ladies, and Mentor Buddies come together to celebrate. Videos and photos play. Awards are given for milestones students had never reached before. There are tears, smiles, and children proudly saying they can do “that” now.
Those moments stay with him.
When it comes to truly knowing his students, Mr. B compares his approach to the movie Night at the Museum starring Ben Stiller. Just as the character is told to “freshen up on your history,” Mr. B believes in learning everything he can about his students. He spends time with them through games, music, and walks. He talks with parents and previous schools, collaborates with therapists and psychologists, and observes behaviors, preferences, and emotions. He shares his interests, stays loving but firm, acts silly when needed, and finds ways to communicate even with nonverbal students until they understand each other.
Fun plays a big role in his classroom. Music, movement, and joy are built into lessons, meetings, free time, and even dismissal at the buses. He believes movement matters and gives his students every opportunity to do it.
His family has supported him from the start. When he told his mother he wanted to be a teacher, she encouraged his dream. His wife remains his biggest supporter, pushing him to be better every day.
Mr. B wants people to understand that special needs education is real education. His students learn and grow just like anyone else. They simply do it in their own way. Sometimes, he says, they do things even better than those without disabilities.
He knows burnout can happen. When he feels discouraged, he asks himself what would happen if he quit. Who would teach them? Would they regress? Would someone advocate for them the way he does? That question brings him back to why he stays.
To parents, his message is simple: there will be good days and bad days, growth days and regression days. No matter what kind of day it is, stay strong, work closely with teachers and therapists, and make a plan together. Consistency and communication matter.
He says the community’s support has overwhelmed him in the best way. He never realized how far his impact reached beyond his classroom walls.
Teaching in a growing Mooresville means more families, more students, and more chances to help children become who they are meant to be. He says there is no other place he would rather be.
And if there is one thing Mr. B hopes people take away, it is this: he loves what he does. He loves his students. He loves learning new ways to help them grow. He will always advocate for his students and give them every opportunity he can.
This work has changed his life. He hopes others take time to love and understand people with disabilities.
When they do, he believes they will see the world in a different light.
You can follow Mr. B on TikTok here:
👉 Mr. B’s TikTok Channel
