2.3 Establish culture of respect

2.3 Establish a culture of respect and rapport which supports students’ emotional safety

A.) Interactions between teacher and students
B.) Student interactions with each other

This standard establishes a learning environment in which students feel safe and valued.  Respect and rapport are observable through teachers’ verbal and nonverbal behavior.  Nods, smiles, and hand gestures as well as the spoken word are all part of how teachers establish and maintain relationships with studnts.  In classrooms where teachers demonstrate this component at a high level, all students feel valued and know that they will be treated with dignity by the teacher as well as by other students.

A. Interactions between teacher and students
Considerations for Practice at Level 3
Call the students by name.
Great the students as they walk in the door.
Use “we” statements to make students feel part of the group.
Listen to your students with care.
Use oral, written, and nonverbal language to convey caring for students.
Both you and the students use polite language when speaking to each other.
Learn about your students interests unrelated to the course of study.
Make an effort to find out how the students feel about the class.
Considerations for Practice at Level 4
Set aside time outside of the classroom to help your students.
Share your own personal stories related to what you’re doing in class.
Students take responsibility for each other to insure that all of them treat you with respect.
Seek out from your students ways to build respect and rapport.

B. Student intereactions with each other
Considerations for Practice at Level 3
Students know each other’s names and use them in their discussions.
Students use polite language when the work together.
Students work well together in a variety of settings.
Students listen carefully to one another during a class discussion.
Considerations for Practice at Level 4
Students correct each other in an appropriate manner when they see evidence of lack of respect for others.
Students display a sense of esprit de corps and are committed to the success of their peers.
Students support each other’s learning and offer each other assistance.
Students ensure that their classmates listen respectfully to one another’s views.

Resources
Wong, The First Days of School, pp. 68-75
Preble, The Respectful School, chapter 4: The Importance of Teacher Intervention
Delpit, Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom