Fostering positive teacher-student relationships creates a conducive environment for optimal learning and teaching experiences for both teachers and students. And building this kind of relationship requires time and intentional practices. In this article, we will discuss some strategies to help you build long-lasting relationships in the classroom.
Teach with passion and enthusiasm
The easiest way to connect to students is to show them how much you cherish your profession. Show genuine care and passion for your career. Doing so will help you know how to interact with students, as attitudes are contagious.
Learn about your students
Taking time to learn about each of your students at the beginning of the year or school session is important. You could ask them to write a letter telling you some basic things about them. Reference these letters periodically, as they serve as a foundation for that positive relationship. You could learn about their favorite meal, color, game, subject, etc. Knowing these things will also help you interact better with your students.
Also, learn the names of your students. Calling a child by his/her name endears him/her to you than addressing them with random pronouns.
Talk to your students with respect
Respect is reciprocal, and this is applicable in all spheres of life. The fact that you are a teacher does not give you the right to abuse or be rude to students. They are human beings too and have the tendencies to feel violated, thereby disrupting their attitude to school work.
Talking down on students also affects their self-esteem and overall performance in school. Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect for one another, and this same principle applies in the classroom. When students know they are respected and valued, they naturally bond with such people. There are times they will test your patience, but your ability to control yourself and refrain from using abusive words will help you manage situations better.
Teacher interacting with students
Discover their interests outside school
Every student has unique interests. Identify them and use them as a yardstick for building good teacher-student relationships. If you have an aspiring artist in your class, you can incorporate a class play into your next English or Literature class. This will not only help you build healthy relationships but will also help harness students’ potentials. The same goes for artistic students; allow them to show their creative projects or paintings.
When you find about their interests and include them in your lesson plan, it facilitates engagement, boosts enthusiasm, and helps strengthen the connection between you and your students.
Be trustworthy
It is easier to connect with someone who naturally finds you trustworthy. Do you practice exclusivity in your class? Or do you use students’ stories as case studies in class? Healthy teacher-student relationships thrive on trust. Be concerned about earning the trust of your students, as that is the easiest way to connect with them.
Project positivity
You cannot build a healthy teacher-student relationship if you are always pessimistic about everything and less cheerful. Young children are free-spirited and easy-going. If you must connect with them, you must become jovial and easy-going as well. Nothing scares them off than someone whose countenance depicts negativity. Be intentional about your dispositions. But in cases where you are troubled and cannot help staying moody, kindly take a day or two off and speak to a counselor or psychologist. You have to be positive to make your class lively.
Be open-minded
Most teachers portray themselves as unapproachable and difficult-to-please, which is unhealthy for a learning environment. Creating good teacher-student relationships requires open-mindedness. Do not relate with students out of prejudice.
Building healthy teacher-student relationships is important. It is indispensable in the journey of teaching and learning. So, treat it like a priority.
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