Be Nice + Work Hard

A documentary about teaching was playing as I heard those familiar words echoing throughout the classroom, ¨Students, please sit down and listen to our class rules.¨  The groaning from many students was audible. The instructor quickly settled down his oversized class into their seats and tables. After noting his rapport with students, I was impressed with the ease, simplicity, and overall effectiveness of his rules.

Five Simple Words: BE NICE, AND WORK HARD. The teacher wrote these words on the board and had his students copy them. My NYC skepticism immediately kicked into gear.  I muttered to myself, ¨ Yeah right, it can't be that easy.¨  The teacher then went on to explain that any rules listed must be extremely short and impactful.  Students were divided into two groups.  You guessed it- ¨Be Nice¨ and ¨Work Hard.¨  

Trying it out: I decided to try this idea out. Days later, I asked students in Mrs. Sheehan’s 5th grade class to give examples of each rule. I handed out two different colored Post-it notes to students in a fifth-grade classroom.  Half of the students were asked to write down examples of "Being Nice." The remaining students were instructed to brainstorm ways to ¨Work Hard.¨ The fifth-grade students came up with several outstanding examples. Students in the “Work Hard” group were overheard saying things like, "If a teacher gives you four math problems, do eight!¨ and ¨Do IXL in the car on the way to baseball practice.¨ These ideas started a chorus of advice for excellent decision-making and persistence.

Some student examples of being nice were: smiling and saying hello to all staff and peers in the hallways, thanking a custodian for keeping their school sparkling clean, and thanking teachers for their lesson.  Additionally, students offered more input regarding working hard and what it meant to them.  ̈Hustling in the classroom” and  ¨Working extra late on an assignment days before it’s due,” were sage suggestions offered by students. ¨Be Nice, and Work Hard.¨ Those five tiny yet powerful, life-changing words can truly be a beacon of character. 

Simplicity: These rules offer a lifetime guide to simplicity and excellence. These five simple, concise words teach ownership, pride, and character development.  A final compulsion to use the "Be Nice, and Work Hard ¨ classroom mantra is the clarity of enforcement when a rule is inevitably broken. 

The prompt will always be,¨What rule did you break?¨ Everyone knows what being nice and working hard means from kindergarten to college, so responses are quick and direct. These words will at some time be uttered in any classroom; the responses, ¨I was not working hard¨ or¨I was acting rudely,¨ were clear, concise, and impactful. If students can remember and apply these rules, everyone will benefit. So remember, when all else fails, “Be Nice, and Work Hard!”

Jim Modugno has taught in Port for 24 years.  He is energetic, passionate, and builds tremendous relationships with kids and the Port Jervis Educational Community.  Jim grew up on the East Side of Manhattan and might be the world’s biggest NY Sports Fan  Here is Mr. M on the Port Center Spotlight podcast, April 2024/ view here

Want to write a #PortPride blog spot?  We want this blog to be written by a variety of people connected to Port Jervis: students, staff, alumni, BOE members, community leaders, and more.  Have a recommendation for a person, program, place, or happening that should be written about?  Reach out to Mr. Marotta at amarotta@pjschools.org or via phone 845-858-3100 x5534