Respect 26 January 2016

I think a lot about the word respect, what it means and what it looks like. The definition reads: “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.” Some of the synonyms are: esteem, regard, deference, high opinion, admiration, reverence, and honor. After reading that, I wonder what I mean when  I tell students they are being disrespectful with their behavior toward other students and toward me.

Being kind and polite are ways to show respect and I expect that from my students as well as reflect it back to them. Do they have to have deep admiration for me? No, but they have to treat me like a human being. I think the Golden Rule applies whether or not there is esteem, admiration or reverence. Yesterday we wrote about what the world needs more of and what it needs less of. I…