Nothing is as gratifying as having nearly 90 students greet me as they enter the classroom, “Good morning/afternoon, Mr. Jacobs,” or leave my room saying, “Thank you, Mr. Jacobs.” It puts me in a good mood, and I often reply in turn, “Good morning, Ronnie,” or “You’re welcome, Ronnie,” or “Thank you, too, Ronnie.”
I’m hoping that my students’ politeness someday spreads to their other interactions with adults. If it doesn’t naturally, though, I hope other teachers will try what I’ve done–make the “Good morning” the students’ entrance pass, and the “Thank you” their exit to freedom from the tortures of an insistently polite, balding teacher.