Respect

When we first hear the word respect in regards to the classroom, we often think of how the teacher controls the classroom environment. However, respect should go three ways: from student to teacher, from teacher to student, and among students. At the very least, to show respect is to show regard or consideration for something or someone. The Luther College Education Department defines respect as showing appropriate regard for the needs, ideas, and experiences of others. In the classroom, being respectful is more or less showing consideration, being polite, etc. But, respect is about more than a student not talking out of turn or a teacher not raising his voice. It has all to do with attitude. Students and teachers should not only show respect in verbal communication, but other forms of communication, especially body language. You can often tell a great deal about how a person feels by observing his body language. Good posture, solid eye contact, and an interested facial expression, while not necessarily required, can all be signs of respect.
Without respect, both the students and the teacher can feel unhappy, frustrated, and even threatened. The teacher may feel like he has lost control of his classroom if students are disrespecting him or each other. Students may feel discouraged, insecure, or possibly unsafe. Not only does disrespect cause these negative feelings that can greatly affect the mentality of either student or teacher. Disrespect is disruptive to the learning process as well.
Because of the unlimited possibilities that could occur in a disrespectful environment, it is crucial that the teacher and the class immediately establish guidelines for showing respect in the classroom. Some teachers may prefer to just tell their students what their classroom rules are. I don't feel that this will properly teach the students the meaning and proper ways to show respect. I would recommend that the teacher and the students work together to write some sort of class covenant. For example, have students discuss how they would or would not want to be treated, and write down those guidelines to be displayed somewhere in the classroom. This will allow the students to think about what they would want for themselves before they show any disrespect. It is important that the teacher remember to set a good example of respect as well. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil." I am sure there have been times when nearly everyone has felt disrespected by a teacher at one point or another. The teacher should try to communicate on the student's level or higher, and be sure to avoid talking down to a student.
The bottom line is that every single person should feel respected and therefore comfortable in the classroom environment. Without respect, the students cannot benefit from their education without disruptions.