Respect In The Classroom

Respect is something that must be earned.  It won't be given to you automatically.  Most students won't respect you just because you are their superior.  Therefore you must earn their respect over time.  To do this, you must respect them.  To show respect you must listen to your students.  If you expect them to listen to you, you must listen to them.

When Elona Hartjes, from Teachers at Risk, was asked on her podcast, "How do I earn my students respect?"  She replied, "I follow the golden rule.  I treat them the way that I would want them to treat me.  It really works.  I have a few rules but they are all about showing one another respect.  I don't mean the kind of respect that when I tell them to jump, they ask how high.  I honor them, how they feel, what they say and do and I expect them to do the same for me and their fellow classmates."

Respect from students will only be possible if the teacher treats the students with respect.  In my high school years I respected most of my teachers because they treated me like an adult.  With respect, a teacher can avoid much misbehavior.  Students will be more likely to listen and less likely to talk out of turn.  Also, students will be more likely to do their work and turn it in on time.  One of my teachers called a student when he found out he was skipping class.  My teacher said that he does that every few years so that people don't skip again.  He said that it works every time.  This teacher didn't necessarily "earn" respect, but he "commanded" respect from his students...it probably helped that he was the football coach...

On the other hand, when the teacher doesn't gain respect, he or she may have a noisy classroom, or maybe have students who don't turn in their homework.  One of my teachers was not able to control the classroom at all because none of us respected her.  As soon as students realize you don't have control, it is nearly impossible to gain their respect.

Overall, respect is mutual.  It must be given to the students for the teacher to be able to receive it.  As soon as it is lost it is extremely difficult to get it back.

See this link to see more about Elona Hartjes:
http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2007/08/10/respect-in-the-classroom-is-a-two-way-street