Building Relationships with Students

Fostering Relationships in the Classroom


Building and maintaining positive relationships with students is essential for a classroom to be effective for all learners.  I find that I am pretty good at finding something to connect to each of my students about.  I actually enjoy talking about their weekend activities and daily plans that we share in class.  It is the small things that go along way with them, especially in middle school.  For example, just today walking out of school one of  my students asked me if I was going to watch the NBA playoffs tonight.  I of course responded asking what time and that I would try to catch part of it.  This 30 second conversation with the student allowed for a connection and opened the door to talk to the student about other topics including his academics that he may otherwise be shut off from. 

I work hard at the beginning of the year establishing a caring and nurturing classroom for both the students and myself.  I want to know the activities the students participate in, their interests, and of course they want to know all about me.  I obviously don't disclose as much information as some of my students do, but it is the caring atmosphere that makes learning that much better. 

I recently had two of my students come to me about a serious issue involving another student who I don't have in class, but know.  These two girls told me that they came to me because they knew I would not judge and would get them the help that they needed.  That was powerful for me.  Just when you think you aren't doing enough, the students surprise you. 

All of the suggestions in the article to establish connections with students are great and I already use some of them.  I need to keep my ELL (English Language Learners) students in mind at the beginning of next year as this was new to me this year.  I had never before had a student in my math class that didn't speak any English.  I need to work to establish relationships with them as well as help them establish relationships with other students.  The language barrier is often hard to overcome, but there are plenty of ways to try to lessen the barrier.