Fostering Effective Relationships

-demonstrating empathy and a genuine caring for others

In order to create a positive learning environment for students, it is critical that students feel safe and cared for. For that to come about, a teacher must build relationships with the students and have a sense of who each child is as an individual.

It is for that reason that when I started my second practicum in a class of grade 7's, I provided each student with a small questionnaire so that I could get to know each individual on a more personal level.

This gave me the opportunity to show the students that although I would only be with them for a short six weeks. I still had a genuine interest in their lives as students but as unique individuals as well.

I knew that if I did not take the time to get to know these kids that I would be teaching for six weeks. It would be a long six weeks for both the students and myself.

I believe that fostering effective relationships with the students in your classroom is essential to teaching.

English Translation:

Tell me

Who are you?

Name :

What are your passions:

Why do you want to learn french:

What is your biggest dream:

One interesting fact about yourself:

My latest projects

-acting consistently with fairness, respect and integrity

An important part of building relationships with students as a teacher is to be honest with them when you as a teacher makes mistakes. This demonstrates to your students that you are treating them with fairness, respect and integrity.

Being open and honest with your students about learning even your continuous learning as a teacher helps them to see you as not just a teacher but as a human as well.

This also demonstrates to your students that you respect them and their learning and that you take it very seriously.

One way I incorporate this aspect into my classroom is to always review tests as a class. As sometimes there may be typos or mistakes that I have made while marking and this gives students a chance to see them and let me know. Furthermore, this gives me a chance to apologize to the students for any mistakes that I may have made on their tests.

I have found that honesty and omitting to one's mistakes as an extremely successful way to foster relationships in the classroom.