Why is it so difficult for young teachers to get respect in the classroom and among colleagues in some cases?

Answer 1

Because they are young the students may see them more as a peer than a teacher and from the other teachers because they are often very young and naive.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

Young teachers often do not have the skills to demand respect. Students pick on the weak link and that experience only comes with time. You are not a student's friend. I have seen too many young teachers not "believe" in class rules or having a set lesson plan. They often try to teach by the "seat of their pants" Which rarely, if ever works. They are well intentioned but do not understand that theory and practice are two different things. Theory is often taught by professors who have not been in a classroom in years , if ever. Theory is often promoted by people who are not "in the trenches". The new teachers are well intentioned but the students can and will take advantage of that.

As for colleagues, they have the experience and I have seen new teachers be absolutely disrespectful towards them. I remember one new teacher, talking to the staff calling himself "Mr so and so" after everyone else, old and new introduced themselves by their first and last name with the understanding we were colleagues. He went on to talk about how HE had such and such degree , never thinking that the people in front of him not only had that same degree and more. I have seen other new teachers tell older teachers they were not doing their job correctly. This came from new teachers who were NOT doing the job, their students were failing, and when it was suggested that they try it an older teachers way, they said thats not the right way.

Most students and older teachers respect and work with younger teachers who understand that they are part of a larger team. Its the new teachers who want to be maveriks and then complain they are not respected or supported that have the problems.

Answer 3

Because they are SO young. Teaching is like any job that requires an apprenticeship. It takes YEARS to learn the craft and be effective. Students will constantly test teachers, and the young ones don't always have skills to defend themselves for each little battle. They haven't developed the box of tools that veteran teachers have.

As far as colleagues go, some of them have kids older than the new teachers, and it can take a bit of time for them to see them as colleagues and not children themselves.

I'm a new department chair this year, and I have 7 years of teaching experience. It's taken me that long to be on the "veteran" side of the line.

Answer 4

A young teacher has to COMMAND respect from their students. Period. Usually young teachers come in class, fresh off extensive pedigogies and studies about Child Psychology, and learning styles that have been researched and written about.

They try to apply their studies to real kids, and often times try to be their friend in the process...
WRONG... Kids are like dogs who sense fear.
They can sense newness, vulnerability, and lack of confidence. And they will take advantage of it.

Colleagues on the other hand usually have problems with new teachers who come in and bring a new philosophy, character, or style of teaching.

One must be careful with this, because if presented in the wrong way ... veteran teachers may see it as a sign of disrespect to all they have ever tried to establish on that campus. Some people just aren't ready to accept change without dishing out criticism.

Answer 5

Young teachers will befriend students. Befriending students = bad. No more authority for you. Older teachers feel they have more experience. Look at it this way. All people are equal. They have the same amount of good qualities and bad. If this young, fit teacher comes in, and there is another one, older and less healthy, who do you think will have skills in another area? Say teaching? I don't look at it that way, but older teachers know how to be strict and friendly at the same time.