What Teens Really Want From Their Teachers (Opinion)

What Teens Really Want From Their Teachers

By Larry Ferlazzo — July 28, 2025 1 min read

Save to favorites
Print

Email Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

Copy URL

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.

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.

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.