By Sequoia Gregorich, Co-Content Editor
It’s time we talk about the elephant in the room: the relationship of staff vs. students. I’ve been at this school for almost two years, and it didn’t take long to notice the mistrust this community holds on both sides.
Let me start with the adults.
Staff, there are a few things you could do to prove to students that you are trustworthy, and that you trust us as well.
First, you could make the effort to explain to the student body that you are investigating an issue when it arises. For instance, a few months ago, a student used the N-word as a screen name during a game of Kahoot. Of course, word spread quickly. Students heard that we were suspended from playing Kahoot during class, but it appeared that the student who created the screen name had not been held responsible. And although there might have been an extensive investigation into the matter behind scenes, it looked from the outside as though nothing had been done.
I understand. I get it.
Issues of confidentiality often make it difficult for school officials to divulge information regarding specific names and events. However, it is essential that when situations like this arise, students understand that you are making an effort towards investigating them.
Granted, we understand it is unethical — if not illegal — to tell us names or the actions taken against the student in question, but you can let the community know through an email or announcement that certain hateful actions have consequences and will not be tolerated in this school. In the past when these types of messages have been expressed, they have been highly effective.
Letting us know that you have our backs when we are victimized is the most important thing when it comes to building a relationship between staff and students. In order to trust you, we need to know that you will fight for us at all costs, risking backlash from other staff members, parents and students.
We need to know that we are safe when we walk through the school doors.
If you are truly doing what you think is best for us, with reasonable incentives, any potential backlash from the community would seem harsh and misguided.
Second, it is important that every member of the staff treats students with the same respect that you expect from us.
Obviously it’s not realistic for you to treat us as equals — we are still young and growing, and with that comes mistakes — but many of us work harder in school than you may realize, and an assumption of mutual respect might help remind you of that fact.
I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that every student (and person) has some obstacle in their life. It makes a world of difference when someone recognizes our struggles and lets us turn in that homework late, or reminds us to bring a hall pass next time.
After all, teachers and students are all human beings, and that’s what humans do.
We look out for each other.
This also means admitting when you have made a mistake. Often times, teachers tend to think that admitting they are wrong is a sign of weakness.
That’s dead wrong.
I can almost guarantee you that an authentic admission to the extreme humanness you just admitted to having would bring you nothing but sympathy. Your honesty would prove to us that you are trustworthy, that you are willing to admit when you are wrong.
Lastly, you need to avoid making assumptions about us. Most mistakes the staff makes are a result of assuming the worst intentions based on misleading or partial information. More often than not, assumptions are made about students, labeling them as cheating, lying or lazy. If you notice yourself making an assumption, I encourage you to talk with your student and get the truth.
But hey, in case you have forgotten, this school has 494 students and about 40 teachers. So let’s not be naive in thinking that it’s only the staff’s responsibility to create a healthy community.
First, just as I ask staff to assume the best intentions, I ask students to do the same. When a faculty member addresses you on the basis of disciplinary action, and you feel as though the situation has been misunderstood, let them know.
Respectfully explain to them your interpretation of the situation, taking note as to how it might look from their point of view. We cannot assume teachers are acting maliciously if they are not given all the information.
This brings me to my second request for students: stop complaining about what teachers don’t see! I notice all the time students frustrated about how the administration did nothing about a certain incident. This is extremely hypocritical.
You, a knowledgeable bystander, did nothing while expecting the school to be omniscient. If you see something you think is wrong, report it! If you want something dealt with at the school, you need to learn how to work with the staff.
It’s unreasonable to distrust our teachers for not handling something that was in your hands, something about which they had no awareness.
Last, but not least: earn the trust and respect you want. Not much needs to be said about this one, but still I have a few words. If you are picking a fight with staff at every opportunity, it is very hard to get any respect. Additionally, it is important to be vigilant in choosing what is worth fighting over.
Are we really going to have to sit through another class period where a student decides to debate the cell phone policy? If the teacher lets up (which they never do), what have you accomplished? A few extra minutes on your phone?
Fight for things that matter.
This may come as a surprise to you, but if you break the rules, your teacher is unlikely to trust you. So if mutual trust is something you value, follow the rules. Use a hall pass, put your phone in your pocket and keep your eyes on your own paper.
It’s simple.
It’s foolproof.
Students and staff, we have grown lazy over the past years, as our school won awards, and the peacey atmosphere fooled us into thinking we have no room to improve. Once we ultimately come upon an issue, we tend to blame it on the others.
When the issue of nudes being spread around arose, the staff addressed the students, and many students blamed the staff for not holding the students responsible for what could have been, according to Principal Danny Rock, a Class B felony. Similar issues arose with the drugs and alcohol use in the school.
The reality is, however, that a team effort is necessary in resolving such issues, and it is ignorant to put blame on one group of people.
Whether you listen to my suggestions, or not, I hope this will spark some type dialogue — metacognition or in conversation — among staff and students.