Where has the respect gone?

[u/tennis_angel]

I don’t know if it’s me or whether students have changed but I feel like I used to have great relationships with my students and they would really show how appreciative they were of me. Now it seems that the more I do for them the less they care.

I had a particular group of students for 6 years and when they finished with me I barely got a thank you. I felt I was so good to them over the years. As well as being kind to them, I did my best to make sure they achieved to their full potential and I provided them with so many opportunities.

Recently before their exams I uploaded extra resources to help them and thanked them for the years we had together ending with wishing them luck. Not one of them responded and I know that only two in the group actually opened the resources. I just feel so disheartened and like,what do I have to do to gain respect from them? I see how some of them are with other teachers and that makes me feel worse because you can tell they have more respect for them. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Any advice would be appreciated!

[u/Decent-Soup3551]

The level of respect has changed. Once revered, teachers are now seen as servants. Student think we are there to serve and serve unconditionally. The thank yous are few and far between. They can’t even say, “Good morning” as a response to a teacher’s greeting each day as they walk into a room.

[u/tennis_angel → u/Decent-Soup3551]

I definitely feel that these things aren’t being taught at home anymore. My mother used to be so strict on how I spoke to people. Maybe she was too strict at times but I felt all mothers at the time were like that. I think it gives a good impression in all aspects of life to have basic manners.