Honesty is the Best Policy: Students Talk about their Teachers

I interviewed Redwood students and asked them to write honest notes about their teacher. Here is what they said.

By: Emma Largoza

As Brittany walked into art class late one spring afternoon, the normal teenage chatter that accompanies a space like this quickly turned to silence. She knew they were talking about her.

When she turned to her table mate she said, “What’s up?”

The answer was, “Nothing.” 

Too often we know that people are not being honest with us.

High School can be fake a lot of the time, whether it’s that awkward moment when you walk into the class knowing they were talking about you or the people you’re closest with “forget” to tell you there is something in your teeth.

Although High School is repeatedly fake, we have teachers who are honest with their students. Let’s look at some notes students wrote about their teachers, good or bad.

An anonymous student said, “Ms. Galvan is amazing! Probably the best on campus. Genuinely makes such a huge impact on her students.”

One student described Mr. Jason Vieira as, “so so funny and nice, good at what he does. I always get so much out of his class.”

“Mr. Blair is a very good teacher that cares about his students very much. He’s a great teacher who teaches the class very well!” said by an anonymous student.

A positive relationship between teachers and students is needed for the learning environment. This helps students to be engaged and interactive, and to help with social and emotional development. 

Another anonymous student said, “Mr. Arruda is a good teacher that cares about the success of his students.”

A student wrote, “Ms. Moran builds personal relationships with her students, and that’s why they trust her so much.”

“Forsythe is genuinely the most kind teacher I’ve ever had. She also knows when to be a friend and a teacher,” said by a Redwood student.

In The Importance of Strong Relationships between Teachers & Students it says that “Strong relationships provide a foundation for student engagement, belonging, and, ultimately, learning.”

“Mrs. Blair is a really great teacher because she keeps us engaged and make’s the environment happy. Overall, GOAT of a teacher,” said anonymous.

Students also suggest that sarcasm is not great sometimes.

A student wrote, “Mr. Higareda is one of the most memorable teachers I’ve ever had. I’ve enjoyed his class so much before that I was his tutor this year too. His lessons are so interactive that it’s always so fun.”

Honesty in a simple definition is telling the truth or being able to be trusted and not likely to steal, cheat, or lie.

“Mr. Espitia is my math teacher. Mr. Espitia is the best math teacher I’ve ever had. He actually teaches us math, and does it in a way where we all have a good time.”, said by a student.

“My biology teacher Mr. Jackson, is one of the kindest, funniest and overall a great person here on campus.”, said by an anonymous student.

Students often say that teachers who discriminate make people feel like they are not good enough.

A student gave praise when writing, “Mr. Duerksen is a really good teacher because he doesn’t just teach us math, he teaches us life skills.”

Tags: emma, Emma Largoza, honesty, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood rangers, redwood teachers, rhs, rhs teachers, teachers, visalia ca