Last week, we wrote about the importance of strong, supportive teacher-student relationships for academic and social-emotional growth for students. This week, we will take a deep dive into six ways some of our nation’s best educators and educational organizations put that into practice every day with their students.
How to Nurture Relationships in the Classroom
Cultivating positive teacher-student relationships can happen in many micro-interactions throughout the day. Through conversations with recipients of our $5,000 Honored National Teaching Award and educational leaders, we’ve gathered some effective practices for connecting with students.
1. Start the class with a personal question.
High school English teacher, Omar Lisojo, starts each class with a quote of the day and a personal journal question. This practice allows students to take the time to check in with themselves and take a mental break from academic learning. From these check-ins, he invites students to share their responses with the class, allowing him and their peers a moment of connection. Not only does this show students he cares, but it also helps build community within the classroom.
2. Create space for students to share their emotions.
6th-8th-grade Special Education cluster class teacher, Luis Durán, begins his days with an emotional check-in to gauge how students are doing. He starts by sharing how he is doing to model vulnerability and openness. He utilizes different colored zones to help the students identify and understand their emotions. This sets students up to have a good day and helps him know where they might need support.
3. Celebrate students with shout-outs.
9th-grade Algebra teacher, Hui Couch, builds an environment where students are celebrated. She ends each of her classes with shout-outs to recognize her students’ efforts and growth. In the words of one of her students, “Ms. Couch gave me a shout-out in front of the class and said, 'I told you you are smart and you can do it.' I'd never heard encouragement like that before. I feel proud and thankful. Ms. Couch is a good teacher.”
4. Invite students to share feedback.
Middle school Math teacher, Rachel Bowen, takes the time to get to know each student and learn from them. Learning from her students is just as important as her students learning from her. By giving them the space to share feedback, she adapts her teaching to meet individual needs so every student can succeed. Allowing students to give feedback shows them that their thoughts are valued and worth sharing.
5. Show interest in students’ extracurricular activities.
High school Business teacher, Hailey Ellzey, is great at building meaningful and professional relationships with her students. Hailey creates a student-centric environment where each student is celebrated for their individuality and feels seen on a personal level. In her words, “I make sure that I have an interest and I show interest in what they're doing outside of school. If they ask me to come to a concert for them, for band or choir, I will go. If they ask me to go to their game, I will be there.”
6. Set aside one-on-one time with students.
Kareem Farah, CEO and Co-Founder of the Modern Classrooms Project, shares about how one-on-one time combats everyday challenges in education. Their self-paced, mastery-based learning model lends itself to greater student success, as students are supported through their own learning pace. This not only helps students take responsibility for their progress, but it also keeps them engaged and excited about their learning journey.
These are just six ways some of our incredible Honorees are changing lives through building meaningful relationships with their students. By cultivating strong teacher-student relationships, teachers are improving student engagement, combating chronic absenteeism, and increasing students’ motivation to learn.
