In middle and high school, I noticed a pattern where teachers seemed to favor athletes and popular students over others. For example, the captain of the basketball team could openly bully less popular students without any repercussions from teachers. Is this an actual bias among teachers, or was I just perceiving it that way?
In my experience, popular students interact more in class due to their confidence, which might make it appear that teachers favor them. However, I’m often surprised to learn who is considered popular; it’s not as obvious as you might think.
@ace
Confidence indeed helps students engage more with everyone, including teachers, but it doesn’t shield them from the consequences of not doing their work. Even popular students can fail if they don’t meet academic standards.
@ace
I make it a point to observe the cafeteria seating early in the school year to get a sense of student group dynamics. It’s often surprising who chooses to sit together.
@ace
Popular students are more visible, so it’s easier to notice when something happens to them, or when expected consequences don’t occur. Remember, not all disciplinary actions are public, and some issues are dealt with privately, which might give the impression that these students are getting away with more.
@ace
Now that I’m a teacher, I realize I’m not always aware of who the popular students are. I run a club and even the members don’t see popularity as a big deal. It’s more about who is confident and involved.
@EduVibeTrailblazer
A good indicator of popularity at our school is who gets elected to student council or wins court titles at dances. It’s more about who is well-liked rather than traditional popularity.
@Calvin
In my honors classes, the students have their own hierarchy, often valuing academic performance. It’s one of the few groups where intellect can influence social standing.
@Calvin
It’s interesting to see how different traits are valued in different groups. My current club president might not fit the old-school ‘popular’ mold, but she’s highly respected for her involvement and achievements.
@EduVibeTrailblazer
Winning a student government position does require a level of likability, or at least not being widely disliked, which might not be traditional popularity but shows a form of peer approval.
@EduVibeTrailblazer
The clubs I run tend to attract those who don’t fit into the typical ‘popular’ groups. Identifying who the popular kids are can be challenging from this perspective.
@ace
Popularity often comes from having qualities like poise and maturity that appeal to both peers and adults. It’s not just about being well-liked, but also about being composed and articulate.
MsBella said:
@ace
Popularity often comes from having qualities like poise and maturity that appeal to both peers and adults. It’s not just about being well-liked, but also about being composed and articulate.
I’ve noticed that qualities valued in popular students have shifted over the years. It used to be about being rebellious, but now it’s more about the qualities you’ve mentioned, which become more important as students mature.
As a high school teacher for over a decade, I honestly don’t know who the popular students are, nor do I care. My focus is on student engagement and behavior in class. I address bad behavior when I see it, but students can be quite secretive.
@Brighton
True, teachers often rely on students who engage and participate, which might seem like favoritism towards more outspoken students, but it’s really about making the class interactive.
Olivia said:
@Brighton
True, teachers often rely on students who engage and participate, which might seem like favoritism towards more outspoken students, but it’s really about making the class interactive.
I encourage all students to participate by calling for ‘a brave new hand’ and reminding students to give each other time to think before responding.
@Scofield
Encouraging diverse participation is crucial. It’s not about favoring the confident ones but about giving everyone a chance to express themselves.
@Brighton
Absolutely. As a teacher, my priority is students’ academic engagement and respectful behavior, not their social status.
irmah said:
@Brighton
Absolutely. As a teacher, my priority is students’ academic engagement and respectful behavior, not their social status.
Some bullies are adept at seeming charming, which can make it hard for teachers to see the full picture.
@Brighton
As an admin, I’ve noticed that while most teachers are focused on education, a few might get too involved in student dynamics. However, the majority are here to teach and help students grow.