Welcome To The Classroom

I write this post in honor of Dr. Nina, who provided a wonderful comment on one of my previous posts. She brought up a topic that is very important to talk about for the classroom. Every year, teachers serve numerous students. Some students are tough and difficult, while others are hard working and respectful. It doesn’t matter the type of student, there is one thing that is absolutely critical for teachers to pursue in the classroom – positive relationships with students.

There is great power in building positive relationships with students. The classroom should be a safe place for students, and one of the best ways to ensure that students know that their safety matters is by engaging with them and building positive relationships with them. When students know that their teachers care about them, support them, and will do whatever is needed to help them succeed, the classroom and school becomes a safe place for discovery and learning. 

Building relationships helps with consistency in the classroom. When teachers engage with students and build relationships with them, it is easier to maintain classroom expectations. A student who feels respected by the teacher is more willing to do what is asked in the classroom. If a teacher takes time to build positive relationships with all students, they will find that quality classroom management is easier to obtain. Students will be more willing to push themselves toward academic success when they feel they have a respectful bond with the teacher. That bond can only be created if teachers are willing to invest and build positive relationships with their students.

It is through the relationships that educators build with their students that academic achievement can be achieved. Think of it like this, would you want to work for someone, or strive to do your best for someone, who cares little about you and doesn’t invest in building a relationship with you? Probably not. Would you be more willing to sacrifice your desires and wants for someone who has invested in you and showed you they care over someone who shows up and does very little to let you know they care? The same applies for students. When students feel cared about, invested in, and valued through the building of relationships, they are more willing to do what it takes to become better, not only for themselves, but in the classroom as well.

Relationship building is key in the classroom. To be honest, it’s key in everything we do in education. Relationships shouldn’t just be a focus between students and teachers. We should strive to build positive, encouraging relationships with our fellow teachers, classified staff, administration, parents, you name it. It’s through those relationships that great things can happen. People will work together to achieve a higher quality, more rewarding education for all students. People will find value in taking care of each other through words and actions. A caring, empathetic community will begin to take shape, and the students will reap the rewards. Let us never forget, or neglect, the power of building positive, encouraging relationships inside and outside of the classroom.