Qualitative practitioner research undertaken by teachers in schools is a vital means of developing pedagogy and practice, one that is under-valued in today's educational climate. This essay explores representations of students in qualitative studies, which, I argue, necessarily transform student participants into 'characters' within the practitioner-researcher's written narrative. Through exploration of an excerpt of student interview data, I highlight the importance of open, respectful interpretation of students' words which maintains an awareness of the practitioner-researcher's subjective position. This includes the need to disrupt reductive narratives of 'hero' teachers and 'victim' students which deprive young people of agency and respect. I suggest that such considerations of representation are relevant to teachers' day-to-day practice in schools.