How to Build Student Teacher Relationships That Last

My first year of teaching I had a student I couldn’t seem to reach. I thought I was doing everything right. I had planned engaging lessons. I encouraged students to work together through cooperative learning strategies. I even spent extra time with my students by having lunch together in the classroom once a week.

What I didn’t do was take the time to get to know my students as people, instead of students. This was my critical mistake.

Once I realized I needed to get to know my students as people, not students, the tide turned and our classroom became more of a family and less of a group of people randomly thrown together. Some strategies for getting to know my students were no-brainers I needed to stop thinking about and just do, while others required a bit more effort, but they were ALL worth it.

Start the Day Off Right

Implement a Classroom Meeting

The 2×10 Strategy

Front-Load Your Feedback

Follow Their Personal Passions

Does one of your students play a musical instrument? They can bring in their instrument during science when you study sound waves and energy. 

Share About Yourself

Wrapping Up

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