Respect

Respect is one of the most important dispositions to have in a classroom, and it should be installed within the first few days of class. Without respect, it would be no easy task to manage a classroom full of children. Respect is also essential for the teacher's and the students' happiness. Students must have respect for their teachers, and almost just as importantly, teachers must have respect for their students. Through mutual respect teachers and students can enjoy each others company which makes for a better learning environment. Before installing respect in one's classroom, one must fully understand what respect in a classroom is. For some teachers, respect has always been about installing fear in their students. They believe that if a student fears disciplinary consequences given by the teacher then they will respect and obey the teacher. While this may work in some cases, it is most definitely NOT a healthy kind of respect. Students should look up to their teachers and strive to be a better student because they care about their teachers' opinions. Teachers should be role models for the student. They should be someone their students like and want to be like. Teachers should be kind and encouraging always, they should never single out a student or criticize them and they should work hard to find the special gifts that each child has. At the same time, they should be firm and discipline their students when it is necessary, but never be too harsh in their discipline. If a child is doing something wrong, and by wrong I do not mean solving a math problem wrong or spelling a word wrong, but if they are being unkind to other students or being rude in class it should not be overlooked. The teacher should give the child a warning or talk to them one on one to try and solve the problem calmly and kindly. If a teacher does all of these things, they should gain respect from their students. Teachers also need to give their students respect, and by speaking kindly with them, complimenting their good work and helping them improve on poor work without criticizing they would be giving the students the respect they deserve. A classroom with mutual respect between teachers and students is a better learning and working environment for everyone.