expect reply from teachers?

I think that a mistake that a lot of teachers make is talking down to their students. No matter the age of the student, they each deserve respect and appreciation for what they do. Think about some of your favorite and least favorite teachers from your past. I’ll bet that the ones who stick out in your mind as favorites were respectful and interested in you as an individual. They asked questions in an interested manner instead of drilling you. They asked follow up questions and actually listened to your response. They told you their expectations at the beginning of the class and gave you reminders when you did not live up to those expectations. Embarrassment and belittlement were not used as punishments. Perhaps this seems very “new-age” or free-spirited to you, but I’ve got to tell you that it works! The teachers who disagree with me are the ones who still feel that students need to be intimidated, trained, or pressured into conforming to their classroom rules. This is how they measure achievement. I would hope that any respectable teacher would treat this older student with the same graciousness as she does any other student. If not, find another teacher! Good luck to you!

toward a particular student. I’ve already had that situation. I treated him just like any other student in that class. If he wasn’t able to answer, I didn’t feel embarrassed. Why should I feel embarrassed when a student is unable to answer? It shows me I didn’t teach the material in such a way that people could understand it.

The purpose is not to embarrass anyone in any class, nor is it to shown favouritism. Unfortunately, both othentimes become part of the classroom process because teachers get to know who studies, who tries, and who doesn’t care. Experience has shown us, in many cases, that it is easier and less frustrating to call on a student you’re sure knows the answers. However, teachers are supposed to be impartial, and to give every student the same opportunities.

As a teacher, I try to remain impartial and ask questions of every student to check comprehension and to get students involved in their learning process. Checking homework is part of that deal since it continues and sometimes expands the classroom learning process.

BTW, I accept no excuse for not doing homework or participating in class, regardless who the student is. If I have to prepare and present, so do my students. Failure do so merits a grade of 0% or F.

If you treat all your students with respect and fairness, you will find that age doesn’t matter.

if an older student is in my class i will trete him as i will treat others