[b]Do you think teachers can command the respect of the students in a classroom? What qualities do you think this type of teacher might have?

Yes I do believe that teachers can have the respect of their class. And in my opinion, such a teacher will have to be responcible, caring, and honest. Those qualities are needed for me to respect someone, so I think that that's the type of teacher I would respect.

No- teachers cannot "command" respect. They can, however, earn respect from their students. I think the best way to do this is to give students the respect they deserve. Ways to do this might include: call students by their last name- "Mr. Jones", "Ms. Smith". And give students options- to let them know that you see them as capable young people who can make their own decisions. When a teacher begins to "command" or "demand" anything from his/her students that teacher will ultimately lose respect in the long run.

This is really what I'm worried about when i enter the classroom, especially as a beginning teacher. I am so worried about earning the respect of my classroom. I mean... I want be that much older than them. If they don't respect me then I want have control of the classroom, which is a big fear. I hope that I can earn their respect