Extreme disrespect endured by teachers goes unaddressed

Cameron Almonte ’23 Staff Writer

In my elementary and middle school years, teachers were awarded great respect. Students seemed to truly value their teachers and they understood the importance of the role teachers played in shaping their lives and futures.

But as I progressed through high school, it seemed like the practice of respecting and valuing teachers got lost.

Students started using their phones more, giving teachers more attitude and overall disrespecting those who were trying to shape our future. I know because I was one of the students dishing out the disrespect.

But I did learn my lesson. As a freshman, I got in trouble for cursing and was sent out of class. For the rest of that year, not another swear word came out of my mouth.

But I do witness other kids swearing in class. I do see my peers continuing the practice of disrespecting teachers on a daily basis.

Now, I’m not saying that at times I don’t occasionally mess up and fall into old habits of misconduct, because I do. I get caught at least a couple times a day with my phone out, and I catch myself giving adults an occasional attitude. But for many of my peers, it is more of a common practice.

Of course, teachers don’t enjoy being given shit, but they nevertheless take it, day in and day out, and often never do anything about it.

But their lack of push- seems like the teachers are afraid of the consequences of standing up for themselves. And I don’t blame them. If teachers stand up for themselves, of ten the parents of the disrespectful kid call out the teacher in stead of holding their own child accountable.

I’m not sure if this is how it works in other schools, but this is something that needs to be terminated because it’s unfair that those who shape our lives have the least amount of power in the room.