Throughout each of our education journeys, many of us are lucky enough to come across that *one* teacher. The one who changes our life, makes us feel seen, and helps us grow beyond what we think we’re capable of. At Honored, we are grateful to hear these stories every day. They remind us of the extraordinary impact teachers have on students’ lives, and the importance of celebrating their work.
Through reading countless stories about teachers, we’ve found that strong teacher-student relationships are the foundation of trust and confidence. When teachers dedicate time to learning about and connecting with their students, they show students that they care. These moments of connection not only foster academic growth but also nurture emotional well-being and personal development.
As schools battle with chronic absenteeism, student dropout rates, and general student disengagement, we can turn to relationship building to improve student success in all areas of education and personal development.
A Story of Life-Changing Impact
Take our January 2025 Honoree, Devon Houghton, for example. Her teaching is grounded in relationship building as the cornerstone of success. She prioritizes nurturing connections with her students by learning about them and sharing about herself. Her unwavering commitment to her students led her former student, Sammy Leuchte, to nominate her for our $5,000 Honored National Teaching Award.
As a current 7th-grade student, Sammy still remembers the impact Mrs. Houghton left on her in the 4th grade. Mrs. Houghton’s classroom was a safe haven for Sammy, allowing her to gain independence, grow her confidence, and know she always had someone in her corner. In Sammy’s words, “Mrs. Houghton changed my life. I want to be like she was to everyone else, and I want to be a teacher because of her." Her story is just one example of how a teacher can change the life of a single student through prioritizing connection.
Why Strong Teacher-Student Relationships Are Important
At its core, positive teacher-student relationships support student growth, connectedness, and confidence. A systematic review of classroom relationships found that positive teacher-student relationships improve factors of student engagement, including “psychological engagement, academic grades, school attendance, disruptive behaviors, suspension, and dropout.”
Psychologically, improved relationships also decrease stress and increase oxytocin. Trusting relationships and healthy school environments promote productive learning and improved development. When students know their teacher believes in and cares about them, they are more likely to take risks, ask for support, and show up ready to learn.
A Gallup study further shows that students who feel more engaged at school are “more than twice as likely to be thriving in their lives and are more than four times as likely to strongly agree they have a great future ahead of them.”
The research is clear that when students feel connected to their teachers, their lives are forever changed.
The Benefits of Strong Teacher-Student Relationships
1. Combats Chronic Absenteeism
When students feel connected, they are more likely to attend school. For example, last year, in Colleyville, Texas, a middle school shared how they use relationship mapping and data to improve student attendance. Through their practices, they ensure that every student has a staff member who has initiated a meaningful connection with them, so no one is overlooked.
2. Improves Student Engagement and Academic Performance
Creating an environment where students' thoughts are valued causes greater classroom engagement. Students are more likely to participate in class, complete homework, and put more effort into classroom discussions. Once a student feels connected to a teacher, their academic success improves.
3. Increases Motivation and Excitement to Learn
When students have someone who believes in them, they are more likely to experience excitement around learning. They are more motivated to learn and willing to push themselves outside of their comfort zone because they know they will be supported along the way.
Next week, we will take a deep dive into some of the ways that educational organization leaders and recipients of the Honored National Teaching Award build individual relationships with their students.
