This diagram, from Cushman (2003) seemed to me to be a very appropriate way to end the semester. As teachers, I do believe we are in a sort of agreement with our students.

Particularly when dealing with teenagers, there is so much give and take. Expectations on both ends. As kids reach an age where they develop a sense of “what they deserve” this becomes crucial. I remember disliking most of my teachers in middle school and high school, and the reason for this was largely that I felt they were unfair and simply did not understand me. They did not understand, and did not try to. There was a lack of respect, even if unintentional, because I was a kid. Whether or not this is true, I felt this way. At times, I still feel a contempt for adults despite being one (I guess). Essentially, this diagram put into a very easy form the problem with my teachers, and helps me draw on that to begin forming what kind of a teacher I DO want to be. It is simple if not easy.