Have you made a connection with your students yet?
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| Making a connection with students will reap great benefits for you and them! |
We've all had teachers who motivated and supported our learning. Those teachers established a positive relationship with students in the classroom from the very first of the school year. In one of my recent posts, Remembering My Favorite Teachers, I mentioned how certain teachers established a personal connection that made a real difference in my academic success. Our students are no different. How can you establish a meaningful, caring and professional relationship with your students? Here are a few ways that you can develop these connections:
- identify students' strengths and challenges, and take the time to discover your students' interests
- explain "why it matters" during your instruction
- offer students choices based on learning skill and style
- be respectful, firm and consistent
- avoid "playing favorites" in your room by giving all students an opportunity to aid, assist and support others
- establish time to have personal conversations with small groups of students
- connect with parents and students outside of school hours
- promote school functions and attend them
- develop a sense of humor (not sarcasm) and use it in the classroom
- offer tutoring when needed, be available to students who need help, and direct students to resources within the school.
What things do you do to develop relationships with your students?
