I’ve always wondered how teachers can go through years and years of the same lessons. Don’t they get bored of it? Doesn’t it feel like déjà vu? That may be true, but they’re doing what they do for a reason; they are passionate. Now you may be sitting in a classroom, listening to your teacher drone on in a monotone voice and question if they’re actually passionate. The answer will always be yes. We are all students, currently in school; some just beginning and others about to finish. Our teachers have gone through what we’re experiencing now, and years later, are doing what they worked hard for.

My fellow classmates, students that attend schools all around: you need to give your teachers respect. Sitting in a lecture hall far away from the podium doesn’t give you the ability to talk. Not only do your voices echo around the room distracting other students, but also drown out the voice of the one everyone needs to focus on. You may be taking classes that mean nothing to your future, but that shouldn’t stop you from learning more than the bare minimum. If you pay attention in class, if you show the teacher you care about learning as much as you care about your phone, you’re in the spotlight. The second you bring yourself to class, you sit down and you engage in discussions and questions, your teacher will feel like a hundred bucks.

See the thing is, teachers have dedicated their lives to educating us.

One of the biggest rewards to them, the highest amount of respect someone could pay, is when they see students are learning and understanding what they’re passionate about. Maybe some of the subjects you are studying are difficult. You shouldn’t let that debilitate any effort to make yourself come forward with questions.

Don’t be afraid to speak out loud and participate, just please remember that teachers are humans too. Speaking out doesn’t mean disrespectful, smart-ass comments to get a rise out of your classmates. That only brings you lower than those who talk freely in class. To give thoughtful opinions, discussion points, and questions will show that you are interested and have respect.

Many think that school is preparing us for the real world. We focus on becoming book smart, and many are successful in learning and studying in that sense. You also need to be “street smart”, as in portraying yourself confidently, with knowledge and respect for yourself and others. You learn how to speak to adults, how to listen in a classroom, how to take notes while learning mathematical equations and dates in history.

Not only does this benefit you, but it brightens your teacher’s day, to show that you care and you want to bring your best to the table. They’ve always gotten the short end of the stick, watching you grow in their classroom.

Now is your time to show your respect and gratefulness, your response in return for the favor they’ve done, putting everything they’ve got into years of dedicated teaching, and providing us with pathways to our futures.