Creating a Culture of Respect

I cannot say enough nice things about teaching high school age students. They have achieved that wonderful stage where you can hold conversations, pose ideas, and allow them the opportunity to create new material from their studies. Often they surprise me with their insights, and I view my classes as a place where I too can learn. 

Occasionally though, I am reminded that our human capacity to say hurtful things is learned at a young age. Recently I found myself reminding one of my younger groups that it is never acceptable to mock a peer. Poke fun at the literature – yes. Satirize a character or idea – absolutely. Insult a peer or insinuate that his or her ideas are less important than your own – never.

I suppose many reasons exist why a student might make rude remarks towards another student. Perhaps the student is intimidated by an insight, and is simply lashing out to hide feelings of inadequacy. Perhaps the student was upset at not being called on first. Perhaps the student simply does not like the student who is talking and wishes for others to know. Regardless of the reason however, allowing such behavior creates an atmosphere that fosters disrespect for our fellow human beings.

I know my standards, core curriculum, and frameworks for the content which I teach. Nowhere, however, does the pedagogy tell me how to encourage the growth of a young adult who feels empathy and respect for his fellow man. Yet, a teacher’s responsibility extends far beyond the notes, worksheets, and projects, and into the murky realm of how to shape future citizens.

Perhaps you wonder how we can measure or assess the progress of such lessons. The answer is simple:

If my classroom is filled with youth who turn to one another without being asked and help the one who is behind on his or her notes,

If the classroom is one where the laughter is shared and never directed maliciously at a student,

If the classroom is one in which failure is looked at as an opportunity to learn something new, and

If the classroom is one filled with students whom one day I would be proud to call a friend, well then….

The lesson was a success.