Reframing Respect in the Classroom: A Call to Action for Educators
Respect is not automatic. It’s not guaranteed by age, title, or position. Respect is earned—through presence, care, and the way we show up for our students.
Too often in schools, respect is mistaken for obedience—a one-way expectation rooted in authority rather than humanity. But our students aren’t here to serve our egos. They are growing, questioning, and watching. And they respect us not because of our job title, but because of how we treat them.
This term in my Year 8 Advocacy class, we reframed respect as a practice—grounded in kindness, compassion, empathy, and self-awareness. The lesson was part of our broader wellbeing program and was not a reaction to negative behavior, but a proactive opportunity to develop emotional literacy and values-based thinking.
The core message we worked with was simple but powerful:
Respect is something we give. Something we earn. And something we grow through shared care.
Want to Try This Lesson With Your Class?
If you're looking to reframe the concept of respect with your own secondary students, I've put together a ready-to-use lesson that approaches respect as a practice of kindness, empathy, and mutual understanding. It includes a structured slideshow, a self-reflection worksheet, and a flexible lesson plan adaptable to different year levels and class contexts.
Access the full resource pack here.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Slideshow Presentation (PPT or PDF)
Student Reflection Sheet (PDF)
Use it as a starting point to shift the conversation from rule-following to relationship-building. Let’s help students feel what respect truly means—then watch how it grows.
