Education’s Cutting Edge

Every day I greet my students at the door before class begins.  Usually it’s a quick hello, smile, and, occasionally, a high-five or handshake.  Over the past week I noticed that my freshmen students don’t really respond well to the greeting.  Sometimes, they smile back, yet seldom make eye contact.  Others simply walk past me—unacceptable.  Several freshmen shake hands, but it’s like shaking a wet fish.  They either don’t care or they don’t understand the protocol when you greet someone.

I took it upon myself to change this exchange.  My goal is to have every freshmen student greet me properly at the door.  I initialized the greeting with a handshake, providing instant feedback if the student had less than a firm hold.  Next, I made sure the student made eye contact while shaking my hand.  Then, we nodded—it just make it fun.  I would say “shake, eye, nod.” as we went through the motions.

How did the students respond to my first day of proper greeting?  They loved it.  Every student had a smile on their face before entering class.  In fact, when I poked my head back into the classroom I saw freshmen greeting each other the same way I greeted them.  They thought it was fun.

Here’s what I got out it.  First, I was able to check in with every student, even if it’s for 2 seconds.  This is a great way to continue to build rapport.  Second, when class started I saw students that are more alert and ready to listen.  Everyone was in a better mood, allowing for increased learning.

I am interested on how they will respond tomorrow when I greet them at the door.  “Shake, eye, nod.”

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Eric Hougan started his career in business and eventually did a career change into education, merging his two passions: business and teaching. It was during this transition, while a preservice and student teacher, that Eric realized the significant gap of resources and support for student teachers. Ever since, Eric has worked extremely hard collecting tips, strategies, and resources to address the sometimes mystifying process of becoming a teacher, addressing such topics as certification, and ways to develop a beneficial relationship with one’s cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Eric hopes this on-line community will address the hiring process by offering interviewing techniques and posting potential teacher interview questions. Overall, the purpose of this website is to provide a supportive network with wonderful resources for individuals pursuing a career in education.

Hougan completed his Master of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University in Chicago, IL. Currently, he is a secondary-level teacher in Washington. Eric is involved in many school improvement initiatives and is a club adviser for Future Business Leaders of America. Seeking further professional development, Eric completed his National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In the community, Eric is a Board Officer for the King County Bar Association’s Future of the Law Institute. Eric is also an author, recently writing Road to Teaching: A Guide to Teacher Training, Student Teaching, and Finding a Job. For his school and community efforts, Eric was recently recognized as a 2008-9 Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) Emerging Leader.

Read more from Eric at his blog on Road to Teaching.

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Posted by pferryman@yahoo.com, 06-22-2009 Comments I do the same thing at my door. I am there I am glad to see you and or I missed you yesterday where were you? Some don't like to be touched or hugged and I tell them to get over it or get another teacher but since I am the only special ed. math teacher they better just get over it. I will respond with the same greeting I recieve, hug, high 5, nod or hand shake but if your going to enter my door you will make eye contact and acknowledge me. I have been known to line the whole class up on the lockers and practice entering the room. There is no excuse for rudeness.

Posted by jschall, 04-10-2009 I couldn't agree more - whether shaking a student's hand or getting down to a child's level and making sure you smile into his eyes, greeting every child each day, making sure each feels recognized as an individual is not only a teacher's responsibility but also an opportunity to build trust that, in turn, can promote healthy development and learning.

Posted by traceybedocs, 04-14-2009 As a third grade teacher, I greeted my students at the door each morning, and also said goodbye to them as they left at the end of the day. In the morning, it was, "Good morning, how are you?" formalities. In the afternoon it was more casual, discussions about the day, reminding them about homework, and checking that they had all the correct books. I think it's important to learn student's names, and use their names not only when reprimanding them. It shows them that they are important to you, and that their attendance makes a difference in the classroom.

Posted by DrBarbsy, 04-04-2009 The teacher, greeting students at the door sends a positive message to them as a way to begin class on a cheerful note. It shows that the teacher regards her teaching, and her students, with enthusiasm, and caring, for she awaits their arrival. One added benefit, which many schools require, is that, with the teacher standing at her classroom door, it also serves a way to monitor the immediate hallway near the classroom, as well as maintain order, as necessary. Every child wants to be recognized, and the teacher, greeting her students by name as she welcomes them to class, is an excellent way to foster a wonderful relationship. Barbara Weschke

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