Relationships and Respect for Teachers

The conversation surrounding respect has been around for ages. Whether it is respect amongst peers, teachers, or even parents. The lack of respect for teachers has always been an issue in schools, but it is perceived that in the current high school generation that the lack of respect has gotten worse. Simultaneously though exists of the conversation that there is another issue issue with teacher-student “friendships”.

It is important to have a good relationship with a teacher, but taking it to the level where students don't respect them as a teacher is where it becomes a problem.

Students should always look at their teacher as someone who they can trust and talk to, but they should still respect them as an adult, not a friend. There is a fine-line between the two.

Two foreign-exchange students, Anna Finuic and Madalena Gomes, share insight on the respect and teachers at MHS from an outside perspective.

“I feel like students here in America respect the teachers way more than in Portugal. Most students are very nice to the teachers and the teachers are back as well,” said Madalena.

She feels that there is a better relationship with teachers here. She can talk to any teacher and they will help and finds that as a measure of mutual respect.

“I just love that I can have a connection with the teachers here, because in Portugal there is not that,'' said Madalena.

Anna, who is from Moldova, notes the differences in the way in which respect is shown in Moldova high schools.

“The student and teacher interactions here are way different than in Moldova. Here I feel like they are more of friends in the way that some people don't respect them as the boss. Back at home we do everything the teacher says without arguing, they are the boss and we respect them as that,” said Anna.

It really depends on the student and the teacher for how the classroom environment is.

The teachers experience this first hand. Seeing how students respect them, and how that has changed over the years.

“My experience has shown me that if I show respect towards my students then I earn their respect as a teacher,” said Mrs. Kathy.

Mrs. Kathy always makes sure she is respecting her students and helping them through whatever they need. She has a great relationship with her students, while still being a teacher.

Always remember that the teachers are here to help you. Make sure that you are always respecting them.