by Marcus Jackson on September 23, 2018
I grew up in an era where certain behaviors were not tolerated. Behaviors such as: interrupting adults while they were talking, rolling your eyes, smacking your teeth, not responding when an adult is speaking to you, making sarcastic comments while walking away, the use of profanity, and not responding yes ma’am/no ma’am, or responding, “what!” when your name is called by an adult or parent.
Unfortunately, many of these behaviors have become the norm, society accepts these behaviors now, and there’s very little intervening from adults to correct and inform children of this unacceptable behavior. Therefore, this burden has been placed on schools. This creates confusion as generations clash as students’ frustration and impulsivity are perceived as disrespectful behavior. In actuality it’s far from that as their reaction, response, and reception to redirection is new, uncomfortable, and feels as if they’re being attacked. I keep this in mind when dealing with what many refer to as “Difficult Children” and I’m always reminded of two questions a student asked me years ago – “Is it disrespectful if you haven’t been taught respect?” and “Is it a lack of home training if you don’t have a home?” After this encounter and questions, I approach disrespectful behavior as a teachable moment as opposed to always being punitive.
Lead...Learn...Lift 
October 7, 2018 at 5:14 pm
Well you probably already know how I feel about this. The first time it happened I would talk to the child . I would teach them the same way I taught my own children. To me there is never a reason for disrespect. We may not agree but that is how I feel.
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October 7, 2018 at 6:48 pm
This is something teachers and schools should not have to teach students but we do. I feel that is the responsibility of the parents. Our society has made excuses and excepted this way.. It is a no win situation, When this happens it is a teachable moment.
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October 7, 2018 at 8:40 pm
Everyone should be taught to respect at an early age. Sometimes students do not learn that particular skill at home therefore it has to be taught elsewhere. One has to learn what respect is to know what do disrespect is.
You do not have to lack home training due to not having a home. One can learn what home training is anywhere (any ones home).
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October 8, 2018 at 7:33 am
I think the article is correct, none the less a sad reflection of the times in which we live. At the same time I think we can make a difference as we model respectful behaviors and lovingly correct our children.
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October 8, 2018 at 9:04 am
Special’s team reply: We wear many hats anyway, so this is par for the course. The expectations may differ depending on where the teachers are coming from for example if you say “Yes, Ma’am,” in England, this is usually reserved for the Queen! It is our responsibility to constantly model respect towards each other and our students.It’s an ‘age-old’ thing.
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