Does your child enjoy school?
We are halfway through September, the time where we mourn the passing of summer and embrace the new school year. Like other families, ours has been adjusting to new schedules and routines, but the pandemic has still made those adjustments different from the past. However, as I dropped my son off at school this morning and he excitedly said goodbye, I posed the question to myself.
What has made school so positive for him?
Is it his love for learning, friends, the use of technology, lunch, recess, etc? Don’t get me wrong, all these things play a role in student success, however, he has a positive relationship with his teacher. She made an effort from day one to get to know him. He has been lucky enough to have great teachers that build relationships first.
Students need positive relationships at school. I have witnessed firsthand as a parent, teacher, and administrator when this does and doesn’t happen. We had a year where our daughter’s teacher didn’t work to build a relationship. He went through the motions of being a teacher and we saw her effort wane as a result. She completed her work but you could tell she wasn’t as connected.
I would love to say that I connected with every student I ever taught or encountered but that would be wishful thinking. Just like in any aspect of our lives there are people with whom we just don’t connect. In those situations, I would work hard to find someone those students could relate to and trust. Students don’t have to connect with you but they need to connect with someone. We have to help foster that connection.
Strong student-teacher relationships and connections lead to:
Improved academic results
Increased or consistent attendance and engagement
Creates a positive relationship with parents
Boosts positive relationships among peers
Targets the most vulnerable student populations
How do we foster this connection and positive relationship?
Strong Positive Teacher-Student Relationships
The Importance of Strong Relationships
#standreadytosupport