Not all Math Teachers are Polite, Just Sum

Zoey Neufeld, ‘28 

Ella Williamson, ‘28 

Brynne Fox, ‘27 Staff Writer

Tommie Polite is Cape’s newest ninth grade Algebra 1 teacher. Polite has been teaching for a total of 12 years; three at Woodbridge Middle School, seven at Laurel Middle, and two at Seaford Middle School. Teaching at the high school level for the first time, Polite starts her 13th year of teaching at Cape. 

Polite was born along with four other siblings in Illinois, and at a very young age moved to Delaware.  After helping her sixth grade teacher with grading, Polite fell in love with teaching. Polite started her teaching career as a special education teacher. While she has taught other subjects like social studies, math has been her main focus for the past 10 years. She claims that she “can do algebra all day, every day.” 

Outside of school, Polite is a mother of four, an artist, and the owner of Polite Designs - a business she created to sell her art designs. 

Through her cozy classroom environment and satisfied students, it is clear Polite enjoys helping students learn.

One of Polite’s ninth grade honors students, Lily Docherty, feels that Polite is connected to her and the rest of her students. “She’s a great teacher. She explains things really well, but she’s also like your friend.” Docherty also mentioned how Polite makes sure to account for every student when teaching new units. 

When asked about Polite’s teaching environment, Robert Evans, a ninth grade student, said, “It’s a positive environment, all the teachers in there are helpful.” Emery Resnick, another one of Polite’s ninth grade students, says she “enjoys being in Polite’s class because she rewards students for participating in lessons.” 

So far, Polite is happy with how the school has treated her. “All the people in this hallway, the J wing, everything about it so far, has just been beyond my expectations. I absolutely love it.”