by Bobby Coles

Created on: June 25, 2009   Last Updated: May 08, 2012

Teaching is not just about delivering curriculum. It is about providing a safe haven for all students, giving them an environment within which they can thrive and be successful, even if just for a portion of their day. Mutual respect needs to be achieved and maintained, and an effective teacher should keep this under control at all times.

Mutual respect is one of the most crucial concepts to be delivered within the parameters of the school classroom. Without mutual respect, students will lose their way, and shy students will become lost in the shuffle, while bullies will reign supreme. The teacher must control the level of respect, and must develop and cultivate this mutual respect. It is their duty as an educator to provide a safe and inviting learning environment.

Modelling the appropriate behaviours and conveying the proper messages is imperative on the behalf of the teacher. Starting from the very first bell of the school year until the final bell dismisses students for the summer break, the teacher must have a classroom filled with mutual respect.

All diversities and differences must be acknowledged, and accepted. The teacher must incorporate all of the students in every aspect of the classroom life. If there are students with some noticeable differences, they must be openly spoken about, so that ignorance does not prey upon the classroom. If the teacher displays an interest and a positive attitude to learning about every student, then the rest of the class will buy into this philosophy.

Developing a culture of mutual respect in a classroom setting involves a prominent display of character and unmitigated temerity, as well as leadership qualities befitting a world leader. As teachers, the young and impressionable minds of the students are at the forefront of each lesson. Some of the most valuable lessons that they will learn will not come out of a book, but rather out of the actions and words of their life model. A teacher makes all the difference in the life of a child, acting as surrogate parent, and instilling values in the young. They must exude warmth, and have the students believe in them as an educator. If the students are receptive to the teacher, then mutual respect will be much easier to accomplish.

Mutual respect should be a goal that is strived for in every facet of society, and by building respect from the bottom layer will ensure that tomorrow is a brighter day. In a classroom setting, a teacher has complete control, and should use this authority

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