Rich Johns practices what he preaches. A motivational speaker who extolls the virtues of acceptance, empathy, and gratitude, Rich is living kindness.

“That, to me, is why I’m here,” he says about his mission. “It means more than   money or a job. That’s my legacy.”

Making Connections

The son of second-generation immigrants, Rich Johns’ grandparents escaped unrest in Syria when their families fled to Upstate New York. Rich was raised in South Glens Falls where his father was a barber and his mother worked for the Sears department store. 

“My mom and dad were the salt of the earth and we didn’t have a lot,” he recalls. What Rich was given plenty of was respect - even as a child hanging out in his dad’s shop.

“We knew our teachers really well and they knew us. They all got their hair cut from my dad, so we had some great conversations in that place. They got to know and respected our parents (no matter what position in life they had) and that kind of respect got built into me so that when I became a teacher, I got close to people others maybe would not have.”

Earning His Badge of Honor

Rich met his wife of 52 years, Karen, while they were both attending SUNY Potsdam. To Rich’s dismay, his daughter, Nicole, who is now a psychotherapist, didn’t get to meet her grandmother before she died - something he regrets because he knows she would’ve loved her as much as he did. 

Rich taught elementary, middle school, and coached tennis at Saratoga Springs High School for 38 years. Under his guidance, his teams won numerous league and sectional titles, ranking among the top teams in the state.

Rich hadn’t even considered coaching until the district’s Assistant Superintendent, Clay Bishop, asked him to take up the role, saying to him that the more kids he could affect in a positive way, the better. 

“When people call out, ‘Hey, Coach!’ I’m honored because I spent a lifetime in that position. The name, Coach, is a badge of honor,” he said. 

Developing Character

Recognized with numerous awards for teaching excellence and his positive impact on hundreds of players, Rich is also the founder of Act with Respect Always, a “pay it forward” charitable organization that he started with his tennis program and sixth-grade students. 

Since his retirement, Rich has continued to spread the nonprofit’s message of hope, reaching tens of thousands of people through presentations, mailings, and social media. 

His relatable and heartwarming approach is rooted in the idea that each person is unique and deserves to be seen. 

“The meaning of life is to give acceptance, affection, appreciation, and attention,” said Rich. 

He introduces the “What’s Your 99?” personal character assessment scoring system that encourages mindfulness. He also shares ideas like those in Sam Demma’s book, Empty Your Backpack, which promotes the idea that by letting go of the limiting judgements weighing us down, we can “empty our backpacks” and cultivate empowering beliefs instead. 

“One thing kids need is total acceptance from their teachers and we, as adults, need to accept the fact that kids are under tremendous pressure – from parents, teachers, and themselves,” Rich said. 

Turning the Tide

In response to the increasing number of children struggling with anxiety and depression in the schools that he visits, Rich encourages the practice of developing a “Solid Five” group of trusted people who won’t pass judgement under any circumstances. 

Up front about his own bouts of depression, Rich said to turn the tide, we need to identify those who can be like a safe haven for us when we’re in need. 

To help build this circle of support, Rich created “The Visible Project” after the tragic deaths of two area students. By simply writing a note of gratitude, Rich poses, you are spreading kindness in a way that’s not just inspiring but can be potentially life-saving, as well. 

ActWithRespectALWAYS.com for more information.