Teen Time

Talk to your teachers about respect
I want to discuss what some of us are afraid to talk about: confronting teachers.
If you disagree with a teacher, should you let them walk all over you? Absolutely not! Take action and approach your teacher with your feelings.
Teachers play a huge role in our lives. They teach us math, English, history and many other subjects, as well as preparing us for what is ahead in our future. We may not always agree with what they have to say, but they are doing what they have to do for our own good and education.
As Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.”
Some teachers are very encouraging and welcoming, while others want to challenge you more. But remember, both types have high expectations.
We won’t always like what teachers tell us to do, and that’s fine. All of us have our own opinions, and we should feel comfortable expressing our thoughts and confronting our teacher if we have to.
While I don’t always feel comfortable talking about my feelings with a teacher, I still know it is the right thing to do. I would want to talk with my teachers about respect levels and how we are treated by teachers. If you feel a teacher is hurting your feelings, you need to stand up for yourself.
We should always speak to our teachers with respect, but sometimes we don’t always get that in return.
Some teachers are just unapproachable and can make us feel very hesitant about our actions. It is school, not a battlefield. We should not ever feel defeated. If we follow their rules and listen to them, then we deserve respect back, and they should follow through with it. Plans may not always go our way, in school or in life, but we should always try our hardest to make it work.
If what I have told you backfires, you shouldn’t feel bad. Know that you were brave and took the initiative to discuss how you feel with a teacher. You should be proud of yourself and know that you confronted the situation instead of ignoring it, and did that for the best.
n Olivia Doherty, a seventh-grader at Scotts Valley Middle School, writes an occasional column about issues facing middle school students. She can be reached through the Press-Banner by e-mailing pb******@pr*********.com.