John H. Wilson: Communicate respect for teachers, education

Another school year has opened, and the excitement about what this unique journey has in store for teachers, students, patrons and the public is notable. Being excited and holding high expectations for learning experiences are critical to the success of the education process.

In the past seven decades, it has been my immeasurable joy to open new school years, in eager anticipation. With that perspective, I want to suggest a couple of things for all of us to consider.

One deeply felt desire of all educators is that their students demonstrate respect for education, respect for teachers and respect for the potential that is inherent within the learning experiences. The student who has internalized that precious attitude has an impressive head start on those who view the schooling experience in lukewarm or negative terms.

All of us who have contact with students contribute to their sense of respect or disrespect for education and classroom teachers. For example, any time an adult speaks disparagingly or hypercritically about teachers in the presence of a student contributes to disrespect. When adults agree with a student who complains about homework, or “having to” go to school, or being made by a teacher to assume responsibilities, or suggesting that a teacher is too strict about demanding dependability and a reasonable level of performance, they are fueling the student’s lack of respect for the teacher and/or education.

Opportunities abound for each of us to offer a more encouraging and supportive attitude about our schools and teachers. For one, insist that the complaining student consider all of the obvious advantages of “getting to” go to school. Take time to explain how your own success in life, in your career, with the family and as a part of the body politic can be at least partly traced back to the impact that teachers have made; be specific and evince pride.

It is no more difficult to express greater enthusiasm for and confidence in our schools and with teachers than it is to reinforce the negative mentality.

Only classroom teachers and other school personnel can know just how demanding and challenging it is to teach today. When students hold education in contempt, disrespecting the agents who contribute so very much to their overall welfare, these demands and challenges are unfairly compounded.

Let’s make a pledge, here at the beginning of this school year, to communicate our own respect for educators and the greater schooling process, in public and private schools alike. At meals together, driving to and from school, in casual conversations, before bedtime, over weekends – find time to be positive.

The results, primarily as benefits to the learners, will be substantial, and all of us will notice the effects.

This story was originally published September 5, 2014 at 7:01 PM with the headline "John H. Wilson: Communicate respect for teachers, education."