Written by: Dr. La-Trice Johnson 

Many districts have had a successful start to the school year. Teachers have created a welcoming environment and ensured the accessibility of curricular material and technology. Building positive relationships with students is an essential, but often forgotten, element of a successful classroom. Strong connections lead to a positive and successful learning environment. Here are three tips to develop positive relationships in the classroom:

 Tip 1: The Power of Personalized Greetings

Welcoming each student with a personalized greeting as they arrive in the classroom will create a warm and inviting atmosphere and demonstrate that you value every student as a unique individual. It will also initiate a positive rapport instantly. Take a few minutes at the start of each class to give individual greetings. Address students by name, inquire about their day, and show genuine concern for their lives away from school. Additionally, you could include enjoyable icebreaker queries to make the activity more exciting and interactive.

Tip 2: Empowering Students' Voices and Choices

Allowing students to have a voice and be able to make choices in the classroom enables them to feel valued and respected. This gives them the opportunity to take ownership of their learning and be actively involved. Getting to know students goes beyond knowing their names. Knowing how students learn best, and what sparks their interests makes room for planning geared towards student empowerment. In planning, allow room for students to select topics that they are passionate about. Projects can be creative work, a speech, or a research report, to name a few ideas. Provide advice and assistance over the course of the project so that students are supported.

Tip 3: Mindfulness and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Incorporating mindfulness and social and emotional learning (SEL) practices in the classroom creates a safe and supportive environment for students to express their emotions, build resilience, and foster stronger teacher-student relationships while promoting emotional well-being and reducing stress. Encourage students to keep a daily gratitude journal, sharing their reflections voluntarily to promote empathy and understanding.

Creating an environment that encourages and motivates students to learn requires a significant investment of time and effort. To achieve this, it is essential to incorporate modern teaching methodologies, engaging classroom activities, and relevant online resources into the learning process. By doing so, students are provided with a comprehensive and dynamic learning experience that promotes academic excellence and success.