How to Earn it and Why to Give It
Earn Respect
Avery experienced senior leader, newly appointed to a troubled city school, opened his door about an hour into his first day at work to find a row of faces looking back. About ten children were lined up waiting for discipline.
‘What are you here for? And you, and you…?’ Down the line he went. As each student replied, he just said, ‘Go back to your classroom and get on with your work.’
Nothing was said to the teachers. No punishment was meted out by the senior leader. As the days went by the potential chain gang outside his door grew smaller and smaller until, a week later, he opened his door to find no children.
Under the previous leader, the school had struggled with a major discipline problem. The boss had been the external provider of discipline instead of empowering his teachers to take responsibility, to manage their own environment.
Once a strong foundation was laid in the classroom, withdrawal of a child and despatch to a senior teacher only happened infrequently. By definition it became a serious event.
The new man wasn’t prepared to buy in to the poor disciplinary habits his staff had developed. Once the teachers had the message that he didn’t intend to interfere in their day-to-day discipline he then raised the issue of behaviour management at the next staff meeting. Professional learning followed. Over time the school reputation dramatically lifted and it became a school both children and parents were proud to be involved with.
By dealing with day-to-day behavioural issues, even though it’s initially time-consuming, teachers not only save time down the road but also earn the respect of students, colleagues and the senior leader. Be prepared to take the time to deal with the hard issues and earn the respect of your students. This makes everyone a winner. Invest in your future.
Respect for Students
Here’s another angle on respect from a secondary teacher:
I’m just with some people right now,” is great for the self- esteem of the kids, and reminds the interrupting teacher that the student is also entitled to be treated with respect.’
Respect for Parents
Be meticulous about respect of parents when speaking to colleagues. A derogatory remark about a ‘hopeless parent’ in the staffroom might be heard and repeated by that parent’s best friend.
David Eddy, who has had an illustrious teaching career, had an inflexible rule in his years as a senior leader. No parents were ever named in staff briefings. He said, ‘How can you speak confidentially to a roomful of people? I cringe sometimes when I hear what some leaders say to their staff!’