Respect

We were asked about what respect is and how it is found in a classroom. For me, respect is something you have to earn and give to who you respect in return. It's a sign that says that someone trusts you with information and that you've impressed someone with you're experiences or knowledge. It's also how you adapt and negotiate without taking complete control. Respect is vital to the classroom. Without respect the classroom becomes a circus. I once had a teacher in high school who acted like we were still in elementary school and gave us no chance to change his opinion. Because we received no respect we gave none back and I don't remember anything worthwhile from that class. No respect created a distraction from what we were actually trying to learn. With respect, learning becomes much easier and students are more willing to learn. Another of my high school teachers taught me a powerful lesson. The more you give, the more you get in return. I didn't know what he meant until my senior year. What I found was the more you treat the student like a friend (meaning time and facts about yourself, try to understand their situation), the more they'll respect you as a teacher and a friend. I learned so much from him and every teacher who were the same.
Sally