It can be difficult to deal with a disrespectful teacher, especially if you’re trying to maintain a good relationship with them. However, it’s important to remember that you have a right to be respected as well, and there are ways to respond to disrespect without jeopardizing your relationship.
Reinforce respectful statements
When responding to a disrespectful teacher, students should be encouraged to make respectful statements or simply ignore the statement entirely. It is far easier to change negative behavior if you focus on the positive aspects of the teacher’s attitude and behavior.
Of course, some students will try to get the teacher to put them down or provoke him or her, so make sure to avoid this at all costs. But a good rule of thumb is to make sure the student knows the difference between respect and disrespect.
Despite the teacher’s best intentions, many students don’t feel comfortable making respectful statements. Encourage students to make first steps by saying “hello,” “how are you?” Remember to keep things in perspective and think in baby steps. For example, if a student is talking to a teacher who is being disrespectful toward another student, it may be an indication that the teacher does not care about the student.
Distinguish Between Constructive And Destructive Language
Similarly, students need help distinguishing between constructive and destructive language. Unfortunately, they may have been conditioned to use negative language. In order to help them make the distinction between appropriate and destructive language, it is important to teach them appropriate terms such as “compliment,” “validator,” and “builder-upper.” The teacher should also teach students how to recognize the terms with which they should respond respectfully.
Repetition of positive language is essential for changing a student’s behavior. Repetition of key phrases, vocabulary, and tone of voice will reinforce positive language. Students will quickly pick up on the desired behavior by repeating these statements over. The same will go for a disrespectful teacher. It is important to be consistent, as a disrespectful teacher can lead to further negative consequences.
Punishment that is appropriate for the offense
If you’re dealing with a student who’s being disrespectful in class, consider whether a suspension is the best option. Disrespectful students can make the job of a teacher miserable. They not only undermine the teacher’s authority but also inspire other students to follow their example. While a suspension may not be the best option, it’s the best alternative if you’re looking for a quick fix.
If your student has shown disobedience, it’s important to remember that the punishment you choose should have a relationship with your child. A student will not be able to learn from a teacher who is disrespectful, if he or she doesn’t treat them with respect. A teacher must always be firm and consistent, and if they’re not, it’s not fair.
Punishments
A teacher who has used punishments inappropriately may be attached to a previous authority figure. They may misinterpret the evidence, or feel like law enforcement. Despite their best intentions, punishing students can be counterproductive for the relationship between teacher and student.
In addition to creating a hostile climate, punishment can be counterproductive in the long run. A teacher who uses punishments inappropriately could harm his or her reputation, and it may not be the best way to prevent future occurrences.
A teacher may use punishment in a variety of ways to correct the behavior of a student. It can be direct or indirect, and the tone of the voice can vary greatly between punishment and logical consequences. Using a yelling tone, for example, may prevent the student from talking, but the teacher’s anger will remain until the child’s behavior has changed. As a result, punishment often becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Consequences that are ineffective
What are the characteristics of effective consequences for a teacher? Are they built into the social contract or logical? Are they quick? Do they make tomorrow better? Are they relevant to the behavior and situation? As a teacher, you may need to conduct a bit of research to determine which ones are the best. Here are a few examples. Hopefully, one of them will work for you.
Effective consequences are built into the contract before implementation. For instance, if a student is late to class, the teacher could not force them to catch a bus until they arrive at school on time. The student may not know when they get on the bus, and thus would be unable to be responsible for missing the bus. If you use an example that would be beneficial for both parties, the teacher will not feel stressed out or frustrated.
Ineffective consequences may be a teacher’s intention to shame or hurt a student. While they may be ineffective in stopping the behavior, they may hurt a student’s self-worth. Such consequences may even cause feelings of revenge. Ultimately, successful management is about results and not about defending yourself. By using consequences that are both fair and effective, you can create an environment that is respectful of all students.
Share Concerns With Parents
Students who have the habit of disrespecting others should share these concerns with their parents. Disrespectful behavior may even persist at home. A successful collaboration between a student and his or her parents can help both parties teach mutual respect and the appropriate ways to deal with negative emotions. The goal is to create a productive learning environment for all students. However, it is important to understand that the best way to handle a disrespectful student is to foster a healthy relationship.
If your child has consistently disobeyed a teacher, it may be time to consider different punishment options. Punishment, for example, can be as simple as writing an apology letter to the teacher and doing three or more teacher-approved acts of respect. If it is the latter, choose one day to punish the student. Be consistent; some students may need more than one day of consequences.
Identifying signs of disrespectful behavior
Recognizing the signs of disrespectful teacher behavior can help you determine whether your child is exhibiting bad classroom behaviors. While some students may be disrespectful and need to be corrected, this type of behavior often stems from a more serious problem. Disrespectful teacher behavior can disrupt a class and negatively impact the rest of the student body. Ultimately, it can create stress for the student and the teacher.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to address this behavior before it escalates. First, try developing a dialogue with your child. It is far better to talk to a student rather than blaming or lecturing. In some instances, the teacher may be ignoring the student’s needs and simply trying to control their behavior. In such a case, it may be time to seek professional help.
Another effective way to monitor disrespectful behavior is to keep a tally of statements made by students. This is particularly useful if students are unaware of how often their teacher uses the disrespectful language. By designating columns for respectful and disrespectful statements, students can mark the appropriate column when the student says something inappropriate. However, the tally should be confidential, and the tally should not be publicly posted.
Lastly, when you notice signs of disrespectful behavior, talk to your child privately. A one-on-one discussion can help both of you resolve the issues. In addition, addressing behaviors privately will give students a chance to share their concerns and feelings in a safe, confidential way. Taking a child’s concerns in this manner can help you recognize the signs of disrespectful behavior and help the student make the necessary adjustments.