Don't Mind

By Jazmine Basa

You are exhausted. You barely make it into 6th period, stumbling your way through the door. You are stacked up in homework, and stressed to your very core. You're failing sixth period. You listen intently to what the teacher says—doing you hardest to fix that borderline F. You're writing notes, learning, preparing for that upcoming test—then the loud student disrupts the teacher, along with your hard work, the day's lesson plan, and your future.

Man, what is their problem? Why would they distract the teacher, dragging the whole lesson plan and class with them?

In an article from shakerite.com, “Is Disrespect on the Rise?” shows growing concern for the declining respect in high school grounds. The Shakerite has made a survey to contest this theory, sending a Google survey (via email) to 149 teachers, and 50 teachers completed the survey within the response period.

The survey has reported that “62% of respondents said they have been verbally abused in the classroom, and 58% said they have been verbally abused in the hallway.”

Yerba Buena High School is no exception to the growing rift between teachers and students. However, there are two sides to this controversy--one side belonging to the student’s.

Joey Garcia, a senior in Yerba Buena High School, admits to being that guy we all know and “love”: the disruptive student.

Furthermore, Joey admits to interrupting teachers. He's been the type of person to actively correct teachers, share (loud, verbal) reactions, and occasionally comment jokes and reference memes. He’s also fought classmates in class both verbally and physically—"He thought he was very snarky about it until I kicked him down,” Joey explains.

“Charming” characteristics—of course—but there’s a time and place for everything.

The first assumption a spectator might have is Joey is trying to appear funny, or trying to gain attention. It would make sense—he is cracking jokes in a public setting? Who else would it be for?

However, that is not the case. Despite the occasional light-hearted joke or two, Joey does not feel he upholds the role as class clown. Furthermore, his fights are not meant to assert dominance or strike fears towards his classmates. He explains that he is “just someone who has very strong feelings."

Nevertheless, behind an action comes a reason. And having the need to express a strong opinion does not happen often. The other, spectating, quiet students prove this. Unless, you really dislike—or are very comfortable with—said teacher.

He explains the potential annoyance of spectators is one he acknowledges, but does not mind: "School's not how people should perceive many people, especially me. So I try to just be as nonchalant about it as possible because at the end of the day, that’s just a fragment of me."

"A fragment of me"—A persona Joey puts on into the school day is over. Yet personas are made to hide something. Something the actor wants to keep under wraps. Besides, with every action comes an emotion, or motive behind it. No one actively chooses to make a fool of themselves for no reason. If not for comedy, or the opinion of others, then what is it?

William Butchko, a psychology teacher in Yerba Buena High School, explains there is a deeper meaning behind this misbehavior. As a teacher, he finds student misconduct unnecessary, but acknowledges the deeper meaning behind their actions.

"A lot of misbehavior is driven by things happening to students outside the classroom. Anger is an easy emotion to access and can mask more complicated issues," explains Butchko.

Such a comment aligns well with Joey’s story--he has admitted to familial issues contributing to his quick, inconsiderate nature. As he’s grown up, his parents were not very present. Although they were there, they were never able to provide the love and affection every child needs.

“My parents don’t have the best connections with me, we have 2-3 conversations with 4 sentences every two days and that’s mostly it. So, I wasn’t taught to shut my mouth very well to authority figures, as long as you’re a person and I think you’re wrong, I won’t hesitate,” says Joey.

In the article, “Disruptive Behavior in the classroom: Causes & What to do'' from lynnslearning.com.au explains Joey’s unruly ways. Similar students are reported to act in such a way due to personal problems such as “anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other emotional problems, or learning or behavioral issues.”

In addition, the National Center for Learning Disabilities reports that “Negative emotions can exacerbate academic struggles, and school climate can also be a significant factor. When students don’t feel a sense of safety or belonging, they are less likely to attend school and are more likely to engage in negative behavior.”

Joey did not have the best childhood. Instead of toys and playdates, he grew up in the Philippines with trauma and death. He has witnessed a young, childhood friend die from an abusive father. While growing up, his father was in America while he was suffocated with constant studying back home.

When he arrived in America--the “country of opportunity”--he was instantly struck down in 6th grade with pesky bullies and racist remarks towards his accent and skin color. Authority figures did little to stop these bullies. Authority figures sometimes abuse powers that kill. These are the things Joey was forced to learn the hard way.

“Authority is whatever, it has its purpose,” says Joey. “Just that sometimes those authority figures are so stuck up that they start to think everything revolves around them. Sure, you can do that if you’re high enough but if you believe you have authority just because you’re older you’re gonna have me basically clown on you. Give me a reason to respect you. Or at least respect and understand me so I can do the same--Why does a teenager have to be the bigger person for an adult?”

Nevertheless, despite Joey’s complex feelings towards authority, he admits he is flawed, too. He is not as egotistical and selfish as one may assume. He understands he has responsibility for himself, but it is hard to heal alone. Although his friends have greatly helped heal from the past, he still bottles up his emotions.

“Trauma and insecurities always made me very protective of my feelings,” Joey admits. “I’m often cold to my friends when I don’t have to be, and take that anger out on whatever I see can take it, whether that’s video games, or writing. Bottling everything isn’t the best, yes I’ve heard that way too much. But the burden isn’t worth it for my friends, so I hardly bother.”

Tommy Vuu, a close friend of Joey Garcia, takes both sides into consideration. Although a spectator, he feels something has to be done, for everyone in the classroom is greatly affected.

“Disruptive students can ruin other people’s academic ability and future by breaking their concentration. Other students also could influence others to become disruptive as well," says Tommy. "There have always been fights on school campuses or disruptive behavior in public schools. I do believe the YB’s security staff is trying their best to contain and prevent the problem. However, potentially due to budget cuts in the school’s account, there is very little population in the security team. Not to mention we need therapists and social workers as well--It’s a team effort.”

Teachers like William Butchko voice the same opinion; there is a heavy need for action on all ends of this controversy.

Butchko says, “I think we are all in charge of the student's behavior. The teacher and fellow students are the front line. If during the disruption the student or students are shown that the behavior is unacceptable, but they are valued members of the class then often that will be the end of it. However, with a deeper problem or if the classroom does not discourage the behavior then more official discipline and parental backup will become necessary.”

In NPR’s article, “Take The ACE Quiz — And Learn What It Does And Doesn't Mean”, it is emphasized talking to said students changes everything: “they [talking to students about their mental health] boost kids' resilience, by helping them build secure attachments with caring adults. Research suggests that just one caring, safe relationship early in life gives any child a much better shot at growing up healthy.”

The aforementioned article also includes the ACE Quiz, a tallies up different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood. The quiz is helpful towards students or young adults understand how their said trauma can build-up to health problems later on, as well as encourage medical help.

We should not give up on our students. As someone who is both a student and editor-in-chief--who edits papers, makes seating charts, lectures and leads the class, etc.--I know what it is like to be on both ends. Life is stressful, but being dismissive of another’s stress does not alleviate your own battles.

We need to communicate and treat others like we would like to be treated--is that not the "Golden Rule" teachers gave taught students as kids? If school is where we are taught us to never judge a book by it's cover, then why do we mistreat strangers in school? Why do we make enemies of strangers?