Do you appreciate your teachers?

No, really. Do you actually take the time to understand the work they put in and give them the credit they deserve?

The answer is probably no.

Simply put, teachers are underrated. They’re the backbone of schools, the deliverer of knowledge, and the leader of the classroom. Day in and day out, good teachers pour their heart into their work and attempt to get through to the students who resist them the most. But why?

It’s their job, but not only that, a truly inspiring teacher has nothing but genuine good intentions for their students. They would go above and beyond to see the members of their classroom succeed. However, as they do this each day, they face an uproar of kids who do nothing but fight and block their best efforts.

Teachers get no respect.

It’s a simple fact. Each person has an impression of their teacher, one way or another, but where does that judgement come from? Do they dislike that teacher because they aren’t a passionate teacher, or because the teacher actually expects something out of them?

And if teachers don’t expect something out of their students, are they really a good teacher at all?

Most teachers got their position for a reason: they’re fantastic at what they do. It’s harder than most jobs, considering they take on the responsibility of passing down knowledge to the next generation. And this generation can be an ungrateful bunch.

Personally, I’ve heard students being blatantly disrespectful to teachers for as long as I can remember. Whether calling them names or insulting their personality, I’m always surprised the lengths teenagers will go to. Not only is it rude behavior, but it goes to show that the concept of “respecting your elders” isn’t taken seriously.

It should be.

Your teachers have been assigned the job of preparing you for tests, but also life in general. I’ve had teachers that impacted me years after I had them, which goes to show that they have a large impact on your life if they truly are good at what they do. Sometimes, it’s not even the subject matter, but the way they made that portion of your day just a little bit brighter. On the flip side, having an amazing teacher for a subject you don’t enjoy can open your eyes to a new world of knowledge.

Please thank your teachers more. Tell them what affect they’ve had on you and why. A simple, quick conversation can make their day, because I’m sure that the students who do that are few and far between.

If you don’t like your teacher, for whatever personal reason you have, give them a chance. Get to know them, their teaching style, and why they are the way they are. If you make an effort to build a positive relationship with them, I’m almost 100% sure that they’ll appreciate you.

Together, we can help teachers get the respect they’ve long deserved.