The Impact of Your First ‘Hello’
“Whether it's eight o'clock in the morning or eight o'clock at night, I always try to greet others before they have a chance to speak to me.”
— Zig Ziglar
Imagine this:
You walk into a room full of people, and not a single person acknowledges your presence. How would you feel?
Now, flip that scenario.
You enter the same room, and someone smiles, greets you by name, and offers a warm "Good morning, I’m so happy to see you!" Suddenly, the atmosphere changes, and so does your mood.
This simple interaction has set the tone for how you'll engage with others for the rest of the day.
The same goes for our students.
How we greet them at the door every morning can have a profound impact on their day—and on our classroom environment as a whole.
We all know that kids thrive on connection. It’s the glue that holds the teacher-student relationship together.
A personal greeting is more than just a "Hi." It’s a moment of recognition—a way of saying, "I see you, and you matter." This connection helps students feel secure, valued, and ready to participate. It’s the first step in establishing a classroom culture built on mutual respect.
Rudolf Dreikurs, a pioneer in the field of Positive Discipline, emphasized the importance of these small yet powerful moments. He believed that the way we connect with students as they enter the classroom can set the tone for their entire day. When students feel connected, they’re more likely to engage, participate, and stay on task.
You don’t have to take our word for it—research backs this up. A study by Allay & Pakurar (2007) found that when teachers greeted students at the door with a personalized greeting, it significantly increased the students’ on-task behavior. What’s interesting is that these greetings didn’t follow a script. Teachers simply used the student’s name and added a positive statement—keeping it genuine and real. The result? Students were more focused and engaged in their learning.
It’s not just about getting through the curriculum; it’s about creating a space where students feel connected and motivated to learn. The greeting is the first step in that process.
(Quick) Q-Tips for Greeting Your Students:
Use Their Name: A personalized greeting is more powerful. Simply saying, "Good morning, [Student's Name]!" makes a student feel recognized.
Non-Verbal Cues: Not all greetings need to be verbal. A smile, a thumbs-up, or even a nod can be just as effective, especially for students who may not be ready to talk.
Offer Choices: Some students might not be in the mood for a verbal greeting or physical contact. Provide options like a wave, a fist bump, or even just eye contact with a warm smile.
Adapt to Their Mood: If a student seems down or not in the mood for a typical greeting, respect that. You can say something like, "I’m here if you need anything" to show support without pressuring them.
Set Up a Greeting Station: Consider setting up a greeting station with different greeting options (like cards they can choose from) that allows students to select how they want to be greeted that day.
Quick Check-in: For students who aren’t up for a verbal greeting, consider a quick check-in later in the day. Sometimes, a simple "How’s it going?" during independent work time can make all the difference.
I always share my life mantra, and one of my favorite Positive Discipline Tools ‘Connection Before Correction’.
Before we can guide our students or address behavioral issues, we must first connect with them on a personal level. Greeting students warmly as they enter the classroom is a simple yet powerful way to establish that connection. It sets the tone for the day, creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
So, the next time you stand at your classroom door, remember that your greeting is more than a routine.
It’s a powerful tool to create a positive classroom culture—one where students feel seen, heard, and ready to take on the day.
