What might Mrs. Starch consider worse than failing Nick and Marta?

Mrs. Starch's perspective as a teacher is likely guided by her sense of responsibility towards her students' growth and their potential. The idea that she might consider the loss of respect for her students worse than failing them suggests that she values the teacher-student relationship deeply. If she loses respect for Nick and Marta, it indicates a fundamental breakdown in the trust and mutual regard that is crucial for effective learning.

This loss of respect could have longer-lasting implications on their academic journey and self-esteem compared to simply failing a test or a class. In an educational setting, respect plays an important role; it fosters an environment where students feel valued and motivated to improve. Thus, Mrs. Starch might believe that maintaining respect is vital for not only her relationship with the students but also for their future interactions and success.

In that context, while embarrassing them in public, making them retake a semester, or calling their parents might be daunting for students, these situations are often temporary and can be addressed or worked through. The respect between a teacher and student, however, is foundational and once eroded can greatly impact a student’s educational experience and personal development.