Marshall Brain said “Good teachers always possess these three core qualities: knowledge, the ability to convey to students an understanding of that knowledge, and the ability to make the material interesting and relevant to students. Complementing these three is a fourth quality: good teachers have a deep-seated concern and respect for the students in the classroom.”
But what happens when that respect isn’t returned?
I’m a big believer that respect is earned.
So what happens when, not matter what a teacher does to show the concern and respect for the students, that respect isn’t returned?
Over the last few weeks, I’ve come to the conclusion that you just have to take the high road. The only person you can change in this world is yourself. So, by taking the high road and doing what’s right — because it’s the right thing to do — will either give the students the opportunity to earn respect or it won’t. Can’t change the students.
And if they don’t, try to minimize the damage done in the short-term and wait for the long-term.