Teacher-Student Relationships

Teacher-Student Relationships

First and foremost, teachers should focus on their relationship with the students, because without that bond, there is little chance of managing the classroom efficiently. Students should be aware that the teacher wants them to be successful both in and out of the classroom (Backes & Ellis, 2003). The best way for teachers to show students this desire is to exhibit a personal interest in all aspects of the students’ lives (R.J. Marzano, J.S. Marzano, & Pickering, 2003). A personal interest can be revealed by a variety of simple tasks including cheerfully greeting students in the hallway (Backes & Ellis, 2003), talking informally with students before and after class, attending various extracurricular activities and acknowledging the students’ participation and achievements in those activities, and saying hello to students in places outside of school such as the mall (R.J. Marzano, Pickering et al., 2003). Students’ lives and emotions outside of the classroom should be valued by teachers, because students are more likely to respect themselves and their classmates when they believe that their feelings are respected and cared about by teachers (Wessler, 2003). Essentially, students, “like all of us, respond better to correction – even ultimatums – from someone they know and respect” (Mathews, 2000).

Once teachers have established a bond with their students, it will be easier for them to create an inviting and comprehensive classroom environment. When teachers have good relationships with their students, they learn more about the students as individuals, and thus become more aware of the student’s interests, needs, and family background. Teachers can use this information to make sure that ever...

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...rch/EBSCO Database.

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Hafner, K. (2004, April 29). In class, the audience weighs in. The New York Times, p. G1.

Mathews, J. (2000, December 19). On good authority; Maintaining discipline is key to students’ success, but new teachers rarely learn classroom management. The Washington Post, p. A19.