What Teens Really Want From Their Teachers
Opinion Blog

Classroom Q&A

With Larry Ferlazzo

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to lferlazzo@epe.org. Read more from this blog.

Teaching Profession Opinion

What Teens Really Want From Their Teachers

By Larry Ferlazzo — July 28, 2025 1 min read
Photo of teacher and student talking.
Education Week + Getty
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Larry Ferlazzo
Opinion Contributor,  Education Week
Larry Ferlazzo is a former award-winning high school English and social studies teacher of more than two decades. He is currently a volunteer tutor to English-learner newcomers at a local school and to youth in juvenile hall.

    I’ve learned a lot from my students, including how to be a better teacher—and person; a greater appreciation of many cultures different from my own; and how truly critical a heightened sense of empathy is to the human condition.

    Here are commentaries from many high school students that might highlight some of those insights for you, too.

    iparticularly

    1. Want to Up Your Teaching Game? Listen to These Students

    Students explain what makes them feel connected to their teachers and learning. Read more.

    2. Let Us ‘Talk Openly': What Students Want Right Now

    Fearful, students explain that they want educators to help them understand what’s going on. Read more.

    3. What Do Students Think of Their Teachers?

    Teachers who get high grades from students show they care for the person beyond the student. Read more.

    4. What Students Like (and Don’t Like) About School

    Students sound off on what makes a good teacher as well as the pros and cons of learning remotely. Read more.

    Related Tags:
    Teaching Strategies School Climate

    The opinions expressed in Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

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