Within chapter two there is a section titled "Do Students Need to Like a Teacher?"(19) and I found a student's response particularly interesting. Vance emphasizes: "...that doesn't mean you have to be our best friend, because that will cause our education to suffer. I hate to admit it, but respect and authority are part of the job. Kids expect adults to give us direction and boundaries, but it's a balance"(19). I whole-heartedly agree with the statement because as a student, I always had more respect for teachers who gave directions and had high expectations, yet still could let loose and make a joke.
I hope to implement this in my own classroom because I want my students to look forward to class. A relaxed classroom environment where expectations are still met and exceeded is the ideal for any teacher, and I hope to have that relationship with my students. There is a difference between doing the work and being a friend. I hope when I am a teacher, I can differentiate the appropriate times to be a friend or role-model, and be an educator.
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