Respect Starts with One Another

Walter McKenzie
Feb 9
3 min read

Updated: Feb 10

This is an ongoing series on The Worthy Educators’ Principles of Educator Agency and Efficacy and their implementation in our efforts to transform the profession. This piece addresses the non-negotiable right of principle 7, Respect: treat us with the esteem, regard and consideration accorded to those who teach our children. See the accompanying infographic below and share this resource with colleagues. We invite educators everywhere to join us in this important work!

Watch the video accompaniment to this blog post!

The seventh of our Principles for Educator Agency and Efficacy stands on its own strength. We deserve and demand to be accorded the respect due to those who educate our nation’s children. And while we can expect this from supervisors, students, families and the community at large, the truth is it starts with ourselves.

For this reason, we are showcasing longtime professional relationships among educators that nurture mutual respect, support and bonding and add value across the span of our careers. In this hectic, data-driven age it can seem like there’s little time to focus on the personal connection needed to foster trusting, caring, nurturing relationships with fellow professionals. We’re here to say that it can still happen, and that it’s a must if we are going to walk it like we talk it!

What do we bring to relationships to give them the chance to become one of these epic, fabled relationships we are celebrating?

Healthy, supportive professional friendships grow when colleagues are:

Open to the possibilities without expectations, agendas or preconceived outcomes, so that the relationship begins with no strings attached.

Willingly giving of themselves, their experience and their expertise, with a spirit of paying forward what other education professionals have done for them in their past.

Reaching out with caring, expressing empathy and understanding, making time for one another until it eventually becomes understood that they are there for each other.

Forming a trusting bond, where everyone involved relinquishes judgement and control to create a safe space for sharing, learning and growing.

Allowing themselves to be vulnerable, taking chances to ask, understand and disclose concerns, frustrations and roadblocks that weigh us down.

Certainly no two journeys are alike, but everyone can benefit from having this in their lives!

What are the payoffs?

A deep sense of belonging forged by being together through various life stages, seeing each other through good times and difficult challenges.

Unwavering emotional support you learn to trust over time as a reliable source that is there for you unlike other less formal relationships.

Open communication that reinforces itself as you are able to share thoughts, feelings. perceptions and ideas honestly without fear of judgment.

Perspective and guidance from an objective source who is not in your immediate situation, providing valuable points you may not have considered.

Greater resilience in making decisions about opportunities and challenges as you see things through over the course of your career.

Enhanced self-esteem as the relationship boosts your confidence and self-worth through the feedback you receive from a trusted colleague.

Reduced stress when you don’t feel alone in facing life and career choices, alleviating the tension and anxiety that is so common today.

Improved mental health by combating feelings of loneliness and isolation, vetting ideas with someone who provides additional insight and assurance that you’re doing okay.

Shared history built on a unique, mutual understanding of common life experiences that you see each other through together.

A relationship unlike any other! Unlike other kinds of human relationships, a trusting, nurturing professional relationship is one-of-a-kind because the focus is on the work first.

Want to know more? Connect with likeminded professionals outside of your daily workspace? Begin the journey on your way to earning the respect you deserve? Join us at The Worthy Educator. We’re here for you!