Wow! Where do I start. I'm a teacher who taught junior high English for 3 years. I currently teach high school English. In defense of a fellow teacher, I'd like to point out that sometimes a little compliance goes a long way. Perhaps active listening in class would benefit everyone, including Mrs. Walker. If her students would practice active listening, then the day's lessons might go more smoothly and might be more easily understood. If the day's lesson went well, then Mrs. Walker might have time at the end of class to answer questions without getting frustrated by smart alec remarks or rolling eyes. It's a win-win situation. May I ask: Is Mrs. Walker an "older" teacher? If so, back in the day "older" teachers were encouraged to empower their students to learn on their own. So, in her eyes, it's actually a privilege to be turned loose and allowed to explore or discover. It's an expression of intellectual freedom. ...