Building Classroom Culture: Why Should Students Respect Teachers?

In most countries like India, it is a moral duty for students and parents to respect teachers. Indeed, the teaching workforce is a powerful factor in crafting a nation’s future. Simply because they teach young students about anything and everything that matters in life. From academic subjects to values, a respected teacher is behind all types of knowledge-building in society. However, despite the unparalleled contributions of educators, the teaching profession has taken a major hit in the past few years. Apparently, it is not an exaggeration to say that the days of respecting teachers are long gone!

Let’s understand the plight of a child’s second parents and explore more about the condition of teachers in India.

Read on.

Who are Teachers?

Teachers are the mentors/educators and one of the most important members of society. These professionals carry out the teaching processes across all stages of formal education. A respected teacher facilitates a student’s learning process through proper planning and the use of appropriate strategies. In the next section, we will discuss the duties/responsibilities of a teacher in the Indian context.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Teacher

There are many reasons why we respect teachers. The most prominent ones are related to the numerous duties that they perform to support the teaching and learning processes. A teacher performs the following roles:

Lesson planning (procuring the necessary material and selecting the right pedagogies to conduct classes).
Creating a conducive learning environment.
Delivering lessons.
Supporting students who need extra help.
Assessing the student’s learning.
Nurturing positive relationships with students.
Improving one’s instructional delivery through professional development opportunities.

Most teachers in traditional and online schools perform the above-mentioned responsibilities. But an exceptional teacher has the expertise to take the teaching and learning process to an altogether next level.

Read about the best teaching experiences in an online school and gain valuable insight into a futuristic schooling choice.

Here’s what makes a respected teacher/good teacher.

What Makes a Good Teacher?

According to Weforum, a good teacher has sound knowledge, is aware of the common misconceptions, makes use of effective strategies. And utilizes assessments to improve the teaching and learning process. In addition, a good teacher always understands the scope for self-improvement as well. An excellent teacher also builds a culture of trust, free from inequalities or biases of any sort. Eventually, all of this drives the student’s learning outcomes.

Some Facts About Teachers in India?

Survey-Based Report:

Do you know that our country is one of the best when it comes to respecting teachers?

Yes!

It is a great achievement that India ranks among the world’s top 10 countries (6^thposition) in terms of valuing its teaching workforce. This global survey-based report (35 countries in total) reiterated the fact that respecting teachers is not only a moral duty. It also helps achieve the desired educational outcomes through better student-teacher relationships.

Top 6 countries as per this survey:

S. No	Country
1	China
2	Ghana
3	Singapore
4	Canada
5	Malaysia
6	India

It is great to feel that India is acknowledging its teachers enough. However, this is just one side of the story. Unfortunately, the ground realities of teachers are strikingly different as per some more facts. Before we take up the need for respecting teachers, here’s a look at some more facts:

Findings of the National Achievement Survey (By Union Education Ministry):

65% of teachers were overloaded (overburdened with work).
44% of them lack enough workspace.
97% of them had job satisfaction.
92% of the respondents felt that there was a scope for professional development.
65% of the respondents engaged in formal dialogues with colleagues.

REason Why Should We Respect Teachers

India, a massive country with 9507123 teachers (48.76 lakh female and 46.30 lakh male teachers) must build a culture wherein students respect teachers. Here’s why?

Demanding Work Profile

As per the UGC, a respected teacher must devote 40 hours a week (minimum) for 30 working weeks in an academic year. And teachers devote almost 20 to 25% of their weekly working hours to non-academic activities. The workload of a teacher is quite stressful. Because studies show that 20% of teachers feel more stressed out all the time in comparison with 13% of similar professions. Similarly, 41% of the teachers feel dissatisfied with the leisure time that they get. While this weightage was 32% in other similar professions.

Clearly, we must respect teachers for the time, energy, and effort that they put day in and out for the students.

Mentors for Society

Another reason that proves the need for respecting teachers is that they support the development of social skills, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and critical thinking, etc. in students. Our teachers are also the mentors who instill values in students. They help young students to understand their strengths and weaknesses. And also model virtues like integrity, punctuality, and a growth mindset by being a role model.

Appreciation Improves Performance

It is obvious that a respected teacher feels more delighted to teach students. When we recognize a teacher he/she puts the best foot forward irrespective of barriers/hindrances.

Driving Future Success

Teachers are the ones who make the realization of educational goals and academic success possible in many ways. Without our educators, we cannot imagine a school or its detailed processes. In all stages of education, educators are the most essential pillar of an institution. Therefore, they deserve all the respect for their sheer contributions to the teaching and learning processes. Let’s discuss some effective ways to show respect for teachers.

How Do Students Show Respect to Teachers?

Active listening.
No interruption when he/she speaks.
Using appropriate language.
Adherence to all classroom rules.
Thoughtful actions.
Avoid aggressive behavior of any kind.
Ensuring no distraction.
Acknowledging feedback
Thanking the teacher for his/her support.

Final Thoughts

Most of us already know that the key to building the right classroom culture is mutual respect and well-laid rules. However, students can respect teachers only if they understand the amount of effort that these professionals put in each day throughout an academic year. And as parents/adults, we must play our part in reminding our students of the importance of teachers in their academic journey. The depressed condition of our teachers is not a very happy state as of now. However, we can always hope for the best and set the right example for our young students to follow!

We end this write-up with a big THANK YOU to all our teachers. We believe you will also take a moment and thank yours too!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are teachers?
Educators or teachers carry out the teaching processes for students. They plan all lessons and deliver these to students by using the most appropriate strategy/pedagogy.

What makes a good teacher?
A good teacher has sound knowledge of the subject and constantly works towards the student’s and one’s own learning.
Reason why Respecting a teacher is important?
It is important to respect teachers because they invest their invaluable time and energy to support a student’s learning unconditionally.
How do I show my teacher respect?
Always pay attention in class, respond politely, avoid interruptions, and use any other forms of respecting teachers (like practicing gratitude, etc.).

Retaining The Pride of a Celebrated Profession: Why Should We Respect Teachers?