Are students and parents showing disrespect to our teachers? Disrespect and bullying remains a growing concern in our society today. It rears its ugly head in and around our schools.
There is a lack of respect toward educators from students and parents. Students get angry over grades or assignments. They feel it is the teacher’s fault when they don’t receive a good grade. School personnel complain about students who openly talk back, use vulgarity, and are sarcastic when speaking. According to psychologist Carol Nagy Jacklin, “This is part of the culture. Aggression and violence are plentiful and there is a general problem of not respecting elders. Moreover, the culture doesn’t respect teachers.”
Students That Disrespect
Disruptive and confrontational students are a challenge. Most of the time they are unavoidable. They must be handled with care or they lead to more struggles and disruptions. The classroom is a community dedicated to teaching and learning. Respect and appropriate behavior are important elements.
Today, many students lack an understanding of respect. Schools may be the only place where appropriate respect is modeled.
Parents
A Harris Poll compared respect today to that of the past.
• 31% believe students respect teachers as compared to the past of 79%.
• 61% believe parents respect teachers as compared to the past of 86%.
• 49% believe parents respect teachers today in comparison to the past of 91%.
• 64% believe teachers respect parents as compared to the past of 91%.
• 58% believe that administrators respect teachers as compared to the past of 88%.
This Poll was conducted online in 2013 with 2,250 adults aged 18 and over. 470 had children in grades K-12.
In the past, parents believed a teacher when discussing respectful behavior. Today, parents find excuses for a child’s behavior and blame teachers for a lack of patience and understanding.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Respect is an important factor in attaining a positive school climate. To receive respect, you must give respect.
• Model respectful statements.
• Accentuate respect and avoid hurtful comments.
• Avoid sarcasm or put-downs.
• Define appropriate language.
• Reinforce respectful statements.
• Practice acceptable behavior skills.
• Avoid negativity.
Changing habits and creating a positive climate takes time and effort. Students have much practice saying and hearing disrespectful words and actions.
