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Teacher creates 'Gentleman's Club' to teach kids life lessons

Every Wednesday nearly 60 elementary school students dress in their Sunday's best for the Gentleman's Club.

<p> </p><p>A teacher in Charleston, South Carolina is teaching some little men, some big life lessons. (Photo: WFMY)</p>

A teacher in Charleston, South Carolina is teaching some little men, some big life lessons.

Every Wednesday nearly 60 elementary school students dress in their Sunday's best for the Gentleman's Club.

Raymond Nelson works with at-risk children at Memminger Elementary, and thought of the idea over winter break.

"I was thinking maybe if I have the boys dress for success," said Nelson. "When was the last time you saw someone fighting in a tuxedo?"

Living the motto "Look good, feel good, do good" fifth graders are learning how to shake hands, make eye contact, open doors, and address their elders.

"They like the reaction of walking up to classrooms and say 'oh you look so nice and handsome,' they just love it," said Nelson.

Nelson even keeps an extra stash of dress up clothes for those who want to participate but do not have their own.

And while they are running to dress up, Nelson says they are still at the age where they are running away from girls. The notorious 'cooties' are keeping the young gentlemen away from girls their age, so Nelson bases his lessons on how they would treat their sisters, mothers, and teachers.

"I know a lot of them struggle because a lot of them don't have men at home, so I just want them to grow up and think of the things that I teach them," said Nelson.

This is not Nelson's first gentleman's class rodeo. When he was a little kid his mom also made him join a similar group.

The Gentleman's Club has become so popular with Memminger Elementary boys that the district wants other schools to follow suit.

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