Rolling Eyes? Whatever.

Think about it. As teachers (or even parents) we have a hundred ways to let students know we don’t think too highly of their actions. We can (but shouldn’t!) yell at them, send them to the hall, give them extra work, call their parents, move them to another seat, make them apologize, send them to the principal, take away objects, keep them in for recess, or a host of other punishments or consequences that are used everyday in classrooms for one reason: We don’t like what they did.

Now, look at it from a student’s perspective. Teachers, like students, are humans; prone to make mistakes. Teachers, even when they are correct, are going to do things students don’t like. That’s right. Teachers are going to do things that students don’t like, just like kids are going to do things teachers don’t appreciate. What’s the big difference? What happens next.

Teachers “get” to act upon their disapproval. They get to do something about it. They get to try to correct it. However, a teacher does something a student doesn’t like? WE EXPECT THEM TO DO NOTHING. They aren’t to talk back, refuse, OR EVEN ROLL THEIR EYES because we consider it disrespectful. Now, I’m not call for a classroom coup. Students still need to follow directives, whether they like it or not. But, is it really appropriate or even feasible to expect them to not be able to express their displeasure with a decision or directive? Teachers get to tell students all the time that they don’t like what students are doing. Don’t students deserve the same?

The next time you get an eye roll, move beyond it. It isn’t disrespectful. It’s communication. A student is telling you they don’t like what you are doing or saying. They still have to conform, yes. But they should have a right to express their displeasure. Let it go. If they say, “whatever” after you ask them to get a pencil, as long as they get the pencil, let it go. Just count how many times YOU get offended during the day. Students deserve some voice. Blatant disrespect? We have to teach them respectful behaviors. An eye roll or “whatever”? Take it for what it is……student communication.