The class period begins, but many students remain glued to their phones. A teacher’s lecture is met with blank stares and whispered side conversations. In classrooms, students should go beyond basic notions of respect — not just being kind or staying quiet, but also engaging meaningfully and caring for the shared space.
Being quiet is only a small part of showing respect. True respect means staying engaged, asking questions, supporting classmates, and maintaining a clean environment. Even small actions like cleaning up or recycling properly reflect appreciation for peers and teachers. Just as important is being vulnerable — admitting confusion, asking for help and remaining open to growth and conversation.
“Being vulnerable is how you learn,” junior Alina Samiullah said. “If you never allow yourself to be vulnerable and honest with what you actually know, you’re doing yourself a disservice. It’s important to know where your strengths are, but if you know what you struggle with and what challenges you face, it’s easier for you to go about improving them.”
Another part of classroom respect involves minimizing distractions, especially phone use. According to junior Thomas Yin, constant notifications or scrolling can affect not only the user but also those around them, making it harder for the whole class to focus. This year, California implemented a new phone policy statewide, and Portola High followed suit with designated storage charts to help create a more focused, respectful environment.
“I don’t think phones are necessary in most classes,” Yin said. “When they are, the teacher could make an exception, and the students should express the need for an exception. The phone charts help us focus, and I think they’re a good idea.”
Respect also extends beyond academics to how students treat their surroundings. Small actions, like choosing the recycling bin over the trash can, may seem minor but have long-term environmental effects, according to science teacher Milan Le. When students are mindful about where they throw their waste or whether they rinse a plastic container before recycling it, they contribute to a more sustainable future.
“It just takes that one person to do it, and then if everybody does it, then it makes a really big difference,” Le said. “If you’re mindful, you’re not only recycling and doing those things, but you’re also caring about the environment, which is what we’re pushing for in AP Environmental Science: to think about your impact long term.”
Still, some students feel disengaged not out of disrespect, but because they are placed in required classes they do not connect with, a challenge worsened by overcrowded classrooms or rigid, test-driven curricula. For students who struggle to speak up, engagement can take quieter forms like note-taking, asking questions after class or helping peers during group work.
“You can tell when people don’t really care about the class,” Samiullah said. “If students can tell, teachers can definitely tell, and that’s probably a big disappointing factor for them because they put so much time and effort into lesson planning.”
Respect is not limited to academics: whether it’s listening, cleaning up or recycling, every action shapes a more thoughtful, shared space. Even if a class is not a personal favorite, effort matters, and choosing to engage, even in small ways, shows mutual respect for teachers and classmates.
