How to Maintain a Proper Teacher-Student Relationship?

A healthy student-teacher relationship involves honesty, trust, and communication skills. Being respected is another factor which should be there from both ends. A good teacher-student relationship is essential to enhance the classroom learning experience and environment. It also minimises behavioural issues and encourages academic success in students. Below, you will learn about ways to create a healthy student-teacher relationship.

Ways to Build a Positive Teacher-Student Relationship

You might wonder why trust is crucial in a student-teacher relationship. As a teacher, you must understand the importance of a good teacher-student relationship. Bad relations with your students will negatively impact them, like poor academic performance in class, student disengagement, emotional discomfort, etc. Here are some ways to create a positive relationship with your students. 

1. Greet Your Teachers

You can form an initial connection with your students by simply greeting them whenever you see them. While on-going classes, making connections is quite tough, thus utilise the time before and after. Saying hello while you enter the class is a good habit.

For instance, greet your students good morning while entering the class. Make it a habit as this will build a strong relationship with your students. You must remember that the ways of greeting are not that important, but you must maintain a smiling face and direct eye contact while greeting your teachers. 

2. Know Your Students

Take some time and effort to know your students one by one. Before starting your lesson, learn about their backgrounds, interests, goals, etc. It will help you to build a good teacher-student relationship, slowly and steadily. 

Students often feel safer reaching out to the teachers they are comfortable with. One of the best ways to know each of your students is by asking for two-line briefs of every student at the beginning of a new term. You can also jot down some 'Getting to know you' questionnaires and ask your students.

3. Believe in Your Students

Usually, teachers do not understand that what you think of your students subconsciously affects how you treat a student in a classroom. Henceforth, believe in your students that they have the potential to gain academic success in their lives.

For example, you must showcase your expectations of good behaviour, improvement, and effort to your students. Try to motivate and guide them to achieve their academic goals. Believe in your students and teach them according to their learning styles.

4. Let Your Students Choose

Teachers often put limitations on students' learning preferences. Instead, you must consider and average out your students' most preferred learning styles. For instance, you can provide flexibility and choice in terms of assignments, projects, etc. 

One of the ways to grow a positive student-teacher relationship is by allowing your students to choose the study materials. Referring to fun and interactive textbooks will help your student get good grades. 

5. Use Positive Reinforcements

Traditionally, teachers used negative reinforcements to make their students learn and discipline. However, you must use positive reinforcements to develop a healthy student-teacher relationship. It is all about developing rewarding behaviour to encourage and motivate your students. 

Note that rewards can include tangible rewards, verbal praise, and materialistic rewards to develop a positive association in your students with their education. Such efforts and ways show your students how much you care and invest in your students.  

6. Open to Feedback

Teaching involves varied job responsibilities like handling classes full of students, checking papers, conducting practical classes, etc. Usually, teachers are not that open to feedback from their students. You must note that considering your student's feedback about your teaching styles and methods is vital. 

For example, conducting weekly or monthly feedback sessions will help to identify where your students are having problems. It is a great way to determine where you can improve and enhance your teaching style. Students often feel respected and valued when you consider and work on their feedback. 

Benefits of Positive Student-Teacher Relationships

Good student-teacher relations are essential for creating an effective classroom environment for your students. Besides, tutors and students need to meet short and long-term educational goals. Refer to the following advantages of having a positive teacher-student relationship. 

• Improved academic success
• Promotes student enthusiasm and passion
• Makes classroom environment safe and fun
• Leads to have a clear communication
• Enhance student’s self-esteem
• Minimises the chances of behavioural problems
• Promotes student’s positive attitude
• Foster development beyond the classroom, etc.

Causes of Poor Teacher-Student Relationship

You must understand that developing a good student-teacher relationship takes much patience and time. Yes, some students and teachers click from the first day, but it is rare. Below are some causes that can build a bad relationship with you and your students.

• Insensitivity towards young minds
• Bullying or insulting students
• Using negative reinforcements
• Crossed lines 
• Not being open to feedback, etc. 

Conclusion

It is usually noticed that teachers lack in developing a healthy teacher-student relationship due to various reasons. Poor relations can make students defiant. Some effective qualities you must have as a teacher are patience, nurturing abilities, being well-knowledgeable, optimism, etc. Now that you know how to develop a positive relationship with your students, use the above-stated ways to do so successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use fun academic games to build a positive relationship with my students?

Yes, you can use varied educational games like debates, quizzes, etc. to enhance students' attention in your class. In addition, it increases the efficiency of the learning sessions. 

2. Do conducting one-on-one interactive sessions enhance student-teacher relations?

A teacher might arrange one-on-one feedback sessions as many students feel too shy to raise doubt-clearing questions. Addressing each of your students can be a hectic job, but it will help in building a positive student-teacher relationship. 

3. Is validating my student’s thoughts crucial to build a positive relationship with my students?

Certainly, students develop a sense of liking their teachers if they validate their feelings. It makes your students feel safe and valued in your eyes.

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