Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic and Respect

First-year Dominguez High School teacher Shannan Barron alleges that on July 16 four students emptied a wastebasket of liquefied feces on her. While the the district investigates the allegation, a debate has ensued about how teachers earn the respect of students. Students spoke with MARY REESE BOYKIN about it.

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KRISTIN SHEPARD

15, junior, El Segundo High School

For a teacher to gain my respect, she must respect me back. The teacher must make students behave--punish them if they don’t listen. Teachers must make the curriculum challenging. I don’t think that it is good for students when the work is not challenging, because even though it may seem good at the time, later on, they won’t have the knowledge they need. I appreciate teachers who don’t let you slide, who make students do the work and don’t accept excuses.

I don’t like teachers who treat you like you are dumb.

Last year, I had an easy teacher in biology. I can’t think of a single night when we had homework. Classwork included doing crossword puzzles. Students could get whatever they wanted out of him. If teachers want respect, they must respect themselves and their students.

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MORGAN DANIELS

15, sophomore, Westchester High School

Teachers gain my respect by the way they control the class. They don’t let students speak out of turn or give them passes to leave the classroom for frivolous reasons. They demand that students learn.

When I was in seventh grade, I saw a classroom incident where students disrespected the substitute teacher. The class was wild. Two boys jumped on top of the teacher’s desk and socked the teacher. He fell. They kicked him. The class was yelling, some to cheer the boys on; others telling the boys to stop. The teacher ran out of the class. Those two boys left the classroom and other students joined them, throwing chairs and desks. The principal and security arrived. Four students were suspended.

I feel if a teacher can’t control the class, he shouldn’t be in the classroom.

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PATRICE BENNETT

17, senior, Compton High School

Teachers who want respect must dress the part. Some come to school in sweats or jeans, like they are ready to do housework. I like to see a teacher look sophisticated--a nice little suit, maybe even a tie or scarf. Just show me something that I might not see out here in Compton every day. How teachers dress affects their attitude.

I don’t like when teachers try to speak my language. I’m trying to improve my life; speak to me in a way that will help me improve my language skills.

I also want a teacher who sets rules and enforces them. I respect teachers who realize that there is something they can learn from me.