Bullying.. not just an issue with classmates

Recently, I've been following @dosomething.org on Twitter. For the past couple of days, I've seen lots of tweets regarding The Bully Project. The Bully Project is a documentary film exposing the violence and harm of bullying. This unrated movie (at first it was R rated) follows the lives of students who are senselessly bullied by their classmates. Usually, there is very little discipline from teachers or administration. It is an issue that has been taken by national storm. I think it's a fabulous project. Sometimes I feel like I'm unfortunately supporting this horrible act. Not saying anything, watching my friends destroy someone's self worth, even me laughing or agreeing with them. It's something that all of us have possibly done whether we mean it or not. Everyone is important. Everyone needs one another. Our self-worth is worthy. That person with that awkward personality.. maybe he needs someone just to say hi to him everyday. That girl who consistently never stops talking.. maybe she actually has a good idea. We are all entitled to our own opinions but we should never use them to personally hurt someone.

While this project deals with interaction between classmates I think another issue that needs to brought up is the issue of respect between the student and teachers. I've been in situations lately where students have no respect for the higher authority. Teachers work hard to be in the position they are today. They took time to obtain an education beyond high school and devote their time to educate the youth. Now, I'm not trying to say that all teachers deserve to be viewed as equally. There will also be those few who have no respect for their students or have personal issues themselves. There are teachers who do work hard and don't deserve the respect they deserve. Students take advantage of them for no apparent reason. Some students might scoff at this post and say, "Whatever, can't you take a chill pill. We're just joking." Yeah, you can say the same thing when your bullying your classmates. By I think they need to take a double look at themselves. Teachers are people we can look for advice, earn trust, and develop a good relationship with. We respect them because they are doing something that will benefit us and we must do something in return. Some of these teachers may be the ones that we may even look to for college recommendations and more. It's more disturbing when I see everyone pitching in trying to get the teacher off track, not follow their lesson plan, or try to take over the class. I feel awful and helpless. I wish I could stand up to them and say "Look, he's here trying to do his job. Let him do it." 

My final consensus: Respect your teachers. They teach for a reason, not to ruin your life. Bullying is not just an issued between classmates but teachers as well. Do something about it.