Whether they use a formal curriculum or simply take advantage of serendipitous opportunities, teachers are taking good manners off the back burner. Although modeling excellent etiquette always is important, these educators say that focusing on manners in the classroom is not an option -- it's a must. Included: Discover two different approaches to achieving the same goal -- better manners!
"What I do now is just a carryover from raising seven children," Delores Hawkins told Education World. "Since I attest to traditions and values that I feel are necessary to maintain an orderly and civilized society, it was always my goal to teach my children the proper way to act."
A retired elementary teacher from Maryland, it was Hawkins' role as mother to four girls and three boys that led her to a second career as an "etiquette guru!" Years ago, with aspirations of entering the Pillsbury Bake-Off, she created a cookie that was a great hit with her eldest daughter. It became her favorite, and Hawkins planned to name it for her.
"That created a small problem because we have seven children, and the other six wanted to know why she could have a special cookie when they did not," recalled Hawkins. To keep the peace, she created six additional cookies and the Cookie Bunch was born.