Respect

Respect can be defined as “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities or achievements.” It is important for teachers to demonstrate respect towards their students and compliment and encourage them on a job well done. 

Teachers can build respect with their students by following through with the schedule they have prepared, helping students out as a class and individually, connecting with students at a personal level, and so on. Teachers can also gain the respect of students by listening to their different view and not criticizing them in a negative manner. There is also a way to criticize (maybe ‘object’ is a better word) a students work or thought, but to do it in an academic matter. A well supported case makes way for a healthy debate, which I find very beneficial to students. 

During my senior year in high school we would have Socratic Seminars and/or debates about current issues in the United States. Some examples include illegal immigration, health care, abortion, death penalty, War on Terrorism, etc. I clearly put out my view on an issue and some other students agreed with me and provided more factual evidence. However, the teacher then voiced his opinion because the students had not taken a counter argument. While he tried to prove his point, he was still very respectful of my views. He never said I was wrong, but rather had me listen to his facts so I would see the other side of the argument as well. This kind of teaching is one that demonstrates respect to students. 

It is difficult for me to think of any time a teacher disrespected me. The only thought that comes to mind is when I was in marching band my junior year. The director called me out and yelled at me for not paying attention to him out on the field. I repeated everything he had said the minute before, but he made me go run two laps on the track for mouthing off to him. I never thought I crossed the line with my argument, but for him to make me run laps... really? He had called me out for something I did not do and disrespected me in front of 160 other classmates.  

More respect in the classroom can have many beneficial qualities. I notice that students are more likely to work in a constructive manner and ask questions that are yearn for deeper understanding. They will recognize the knowledge of the teacher and his or her dedication to their profession. Disrespect in the classroom can lead to a lack of productivity, arguments, and other negative qualities. 

Respect should be one of the first things established in a classroom. Respect from teacher to student, student to teacher, and student to student are all essential to a quality learning experience. People need to admire the effort that others have put into work and profession but still take as much from them and learn from it.