In the intense and notorious social politics and hierarchy of high school, one might venture to ask: how are students affected by not only their relationship to their peers, but to their teachers and mentors as well?

An anonymous online survey was given to students in the North Clackamas School District at the beginning of March 2019, with the purpose of examining the culture of respect and camaraderie between students and staff in the district. 57.1% of students that were surveyed said that they have experienced a staff member treating them differently due to stereotypes or preconceived notions of their character. While the majority of students felt that staff and students had mutual respect, 100% of students said that they have witnessed a staff member at their school be disrespected. 71.4% of students admitted that they feel as though their high school experience would be better if students and staff had more mutual respect.

Two math teachers at Rex Putnam High school offered to comment about why they think students are feeling as though assumptions have been made about them due to preconceived notions of their character. Tom Roidt, one of the teachers interviewed, said: “Teachers become teachers because we want to teach, and when kids don’t really want to learn, it’s like, suddenly, we become more like policemen.” Jeremy Shibley, the other teacher at Rex Putnam High School that was interviewed, said “There used to be a concern that teachers in math might not call on girls as often as boys. I really try to work hard to make sure we’re asking both girls and boys lots of questions.” A research paper by Sara M. Lindberg, Janet Shibley Hyde, Jennifer L. Petersen from the University of Wisconsin, and Marcia C. Linn from the University of California: New Trends in Gender and Mathematics Performance: A Meta-Analysis, was done on this problem. The paper calls to attention the problem of gender inequality in academics, specifically mathematics. Stereotypes about female competency in mathematics can greatly influence competency beliefs, which profoundly affects a person’s choices about the activities and environments they partake in.

Athena Southworth, a sophomore at Rex Putnam High School was asked if she has ever witnessed staff being disrespected by students at her school. “Well, they’re just constantly, like, back talking, being rude, and making inappropriate jokes. Just all the bad stuff” ,Southworth told us. “Sometimes I’m working [with staff] but you kind of have to get into their vibe first before they will go with you as well. I think in general, people are working against.” Southworth said, after being asked if she felt as though students worked with or against staff member at her school.

When asked if she felt valued as a staff member in the district, Tammy Miller, the attendance secretary at Rex Putnam High School preferred not to comment. 100% of staff members who were interviewed said they felt good about the respect they receive from students. The Nutritional Service Assistant at Rex Putnam High School, Erich McNaughton, was quoted saying “I do actually, yeah.” when asked if he felt respected by students.