Welcome To The Classroom

I have been in education for over 15 years, with 14 of those years spent teaching in the classroom. When I first began teaching, I saw a sense of pride and determination in my students. Most were focused on doing well, pushing themselves to improve, and caring deeply about their progress. Now, in my 14th year of teaching, that sense of pride seems to have diminished. Today, I often encounter a lack of discipline, ownership, responsibility, and self-respect among my students.

Several factors contribute to the challenges I see in the classroom. Many issues originate at home, where the qualities of discipline, responsibility, and self-respect are often absent. Students tend to mimic their environment, and when parents prioritize their own comfort and ambitions over their children’s guidance and structure, it impedes the development of strong character. Unfortunately, this trend appears to be increasingly common, with technology often exacerbating the issue. Many adults spend more time on their phones than investing in what truly matters—nurturing their children.

Another factor is the low expectations we place on students. In our over-diagnosed society, we often resort to medication, IEPs, and 504 plans rather than focusing on coping skills and self-discipline. The No Child Left Behind initiative has, in many ways, contributed to this problem by promoting students to higher grades without ensuring they meet the necessary standards. This lack of accountability and the tendency to coddle students has led to diminished self-respect and discipline.

It’s easy to blame politicians, administrators, and teachers for these issues, but the real change must come from all of us—educators, administrators, parents, and communities. We need to take responsibility for our choices and actions to prevent further decline.

Proverbs offer valuable insights into the importance of hard work and discipline:

• “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
• “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
• “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”
• “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
• “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”
• “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”
• “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

The essence of these proverbs is clear: embracing discipline, focus, and wisdom is crucial for individual and communal success. Yet, this emphasis on discipline seems to be missing from our educational standards.

Focusing more on feelings and emotions rather than self-respect and discipline does a disservice to students, failing to prepare them for the real world. Discipline should be the foundation of learning and education, as it is essential for overcoming challenges and achieving success. As Duke Coach Kara Lawson aptly put it, “It will never get easier, but you will handle hard better.” I share this sentiment with my students: “Life is never going to get easier, but it will not be as hard when you learn how to do hard things.” The key to handling difficulties lies in self-respect and discipline. Instead of lowering standards in response to complaints, we must raise the bar and instill the value of discipline and self-respect. Students should be encouraged to hold themselves to higher standards and strive for better.

We need to change our expectations and maintain high standards for our students. Dropping the bar, a common practice in many districts, undermines the importance of education. By setting high expectations and demanding excellence, we can help our cities, states, and country thrive.