BY SUMMER CRANDALL

The place many dread, the place that continues controversy and certainly the place that teaches us that everyone takes situations so differently. High school. Although it is a place to socialize, see your peers and make new friends, it’s also a place where people take their deep rooted feelings and push them on another person who also can’t figure themselves out.

In a public school like Truman the experiences of students and staff can vary quite a bit. And in this new age of communication we often see that a lack of understanding or comprehension could lead to more hatred between peers. 

Many teachers strongly agreed. Lillian Crandall, first year teacher at Truman high school says “ It’s prevalent in many areas, not just within schools.” She adds “it is seen everywhere.” The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence ran a study where the results showed that adolescents with higher emotional intelligence are significantly less likely to engage in bullying or aggressive behaviors. In that same study they found in schools that implement emotional intelligence programs, bullying drops by up to 30%, while peer cooperation and empathy improve dramatically.

The consequences of neglecting emotional intelligence can be catastrophic. Many teachers explain they see it daily. Truman High School business teacher Sisco says “ it happens everyday, I watch students interact with each other in mean ways and it needs to stop.” Teachers believe that this happens most often when reinforcement comes into play.  Crandall further explains “ the new phone ban has made students get pretty disrespectful to staff when told to put it away or follow the law.” The lack of ability to regulate one’s emotions can lead to impulsive behavior. However, this prevalent issue can be combated. 

Many schools already have some sort of emotional intelligence program, the number of these programs or lessons getting carried through high school doesn’t match the amount of programs available k-5. Children start learning such valuable skills at a young age, but slowly the system leaves these skills behind as they get older. English teacher  Amy Kempfe thinks the most effective approach in her classroom is when she models good behavior. “I try to model what I represent, try to remember I’m an adult, lead by example and be ready to hear where students are coming from,” said Kempfe. It’s a concept that sounds simple but from what teachers are seeing it’s a skill many missed. 

The students also express the day to day explaining the hatred seen all around them. Junior at Truman High School Nova Williams shows us a view through her lens “ I feel as if students think they’re better than their peers. This allows them to make it feel like a competition in an environment designed to learn. Not to be compared.” she went on to say “ we need to prioritize emotional health and intelligence especially in high schools.” This is an ongoing issue that needs action. Everyone can contribute, making conscious effort is the best way to normalize responding instead of reacting.