Building Authentic Relationships

Authentic Relationships: Building Strong Connections in the Classroom and in the Community

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Building authentic relationships with your students is one of the best ways to achieve success and manage behavior in the classroom. It is also extremely important to build authentic relationships with members of your community as it helps us identify and understand the assets and needs of that community. Lastly, strong connections help develop the foundation that is needed when using the ABCD framework. 

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                           Ready. Set. Connect.

In the classroom you can:

1. Learn every child's name and/or what they want to be called. It will be easier to connect and discipline with this information. 

The Name Jar illustrates the connection between name and identity. Read at the beginning of the year to share the importance of this message.

2. Write notes of affirmation or encouragement. Your students want to be praised and will appreciate being noticed for their actions.

Notes can be short and sweet or long and more detailed. Using names, as mentioned above, or including specifics can help personalize the message. 

3. Praise students for appropriate actions and positive behaviors. 

    

Voicing words of encouragement is a great way to praise your students, especially to those who usually hear negative comments or reprimands.

Giving a quick high-five can change how a child feels about their ability to work on a task or complete their work. It is an instant form of praise that all students understand!

Candy! Some schools don't allow candy, but it is a great way to incentivize kids. If you can't give out candy, a simple prize will do (pencils, fun erasers, small toys, etc.)

4. Ask the students about his/her goals or challenges and work with them to achieve them. 

Students want to know they are with people who support them and their dreams. Asking about what they want to achieve in the future (socially, academically, professionally, personally, etc.) and what may challenge them on the road to achievement will create opportunity. Mainly, it will create an opportunity for you to show the student that you can trust them and that you will support them. 

5. Identify positive behavior out loud and with purpose. "David is sitting quietly and listening to the teacher, he is showing respect for the teacher, great job!"

Students want to know what they are doing well. By using specific praise, you are showing them that you care about and notice their behavior. The more praise the better!

6. Ask about and value the knowledge they have about the community - food, places to go, etc.

If you are new to the community, like I was, then this is a really great way to connect with the kids! It is also an opportunity to learn about some of the hidden assets around the school. My suggestion would be to use your first couple of days as a tutor to interview each student that you are working with. Ask them about themselves (their interests, passions, and hobbies) at the start of the conversation and then ask them about their environment/surroundings. They will feel important and will want to keep telling you things throughout your time there. Let them know if you take any of their suggestions - I'm sure they would love to know!