Establishing a Relationship with Your Students

Have you made a connection with your students yet?  

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?


  
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