At Creek, the ‘R’ in Cougar ‘P.R.I.D.E.’ stands for respect. Yet, there’s so little of it being applied, not just by students, but by teachers and staff as well.

Unfortunately, teachers experience unnecessary disrespect from students. But just as teachers, students can be disrespected by a teacher as well.

For me, I have had the displeasure of such a situation during a teacher’s breakfast before school started. This teacher was not only disrespecting me, but they were disrespecting my team and organization.

As a Silvie, there are certain events that our director sets up to show support to teachers, staff, students and bring life to our school at many events. On more than one account, a certain teacher would yell at us to stop cheering: expressing multiple times their disdain and frustration at our practice.

I found it very rude that we got up earlier than everyone would on a regular day to show our appreciation for the teachers, and this is what we receive back? There are so many incidents where everyone at Creek receives unnecessary disrespect throughout the school day.

My advice for teachers is to maintain a mutual respect as student and staff or teacher. Although teachers and staff are not equal to students, students deserve the respect of being treated as a mature young adult in a learning environment.

One of the best indicators of respect is the tone of voice used when approaching students and addressing certain situations, especially when it comes to being assertive or applying authority; teachers should always be the bigger person.

Another part of respect is for people to listen. Just as students should listen to teachers, teachers should have an open ear to what students say as well. Regardless of how a student expresses their point of view, young adults have the right to express how they feel when being treated in a degrading or disrespectful way.

A school isn’t a school without passionate students and passionate teachers. From staying up late grading papers and studying to making class fun and doing extracurriculars, the learning environment should build the community. Going to Creek takes eight hours from us all, why not spend that time well?

Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about the students. Cy Creek is an amazing school but a good chunk of students skip and wait in the restroom all period. They are the students that make problems for the teachers by not following instructions and being disrespectful. Just as students should be respected as learners and young adults, teachers deserve being treated as educators and the authority in their classroom.

My most important piece of advice for students is to follow directions. The lack of order can be seen in how many students spend their periods on their phones, disobeying the school policy. They don’t pay attention and ignore their education, and that’s just straight up wrong. Even after all the disrespect, most teachers usually give multiple chances to fix a problem.

But when enough is enough and the teacher finally decides to take action, students can be quick to catch an attitude and yell at teachers. These are not the mature students we should have at Creek. All the disrespect only causes a vicious cycle of hate.

I still think that this school can be a place with kindness and fair treatment. We all need to take a look at ourselves and evaluate if we are always treating people the same way we would want to be treated.