Building Rapport to Engage and Motivate Students

How does a teacher maintain positive relationships with students while still keeping classroom management a priority?  It takes a delicate attention to maintaining each student's respect toward the teacher.

Throughout our building we watch our effective teachers use rapport to uphold respect in their classroom and refocus their students.  For some, it is intuitive to use verbal cues, non-verbal cues, and proximity. Others have to work at it, but they make the effort and it shows.  Each strategy they employ is respectful, non-confrontational and allows students to maintain their dignity.

Nearly every day I see Kory Swartz sitting in the hallway eating his lunch with a student by his side.  This isn't something he has to do.  I am not sure how it is arranged and I don't ask, but I am sure it goes a long way in motivating the student and I am sure the next day class goes a little better for both Kory and the student.  I am sure it could easily be called a lunch detention, but it is not and should not.  Take a look around and see what goes on in our halls that maybe you have been missing.  Keep it up Kory.

Students recognize when we take a genuine interest in them and their success.  Often times we may be the only ones that offer assistance or offer a helping hand.  The relationships we build with students are different.  They are working relationships that take on varying roles in our lives and theirs.  Even with the students that don't want to be in class or we may not have a lot in common with, we can still find common ground and keep the lines of communication open about our class and subject area.  Often times, the communication opens up and relationships begin to build when we offer our time and give them respect to meet them where they are.  I popped in Math Lab today and saw Faith Spires working with two students.  These are not her kids, but she was passionately working with them and they were tackling their assignments together.  This may have been the first time they have been to Math Lab, but I am sure they won't see it as a bad thing if they have to go back.  Thanks for the personal touch Faith.  Our students are in good hands.

We have several new teachers and as we went through the interview process our new science teachers (Greg Leasure and Mont Goss) came shining through to me because of their genuine desire to work with kids.  They both emphasized the need for rapport with their students.  I happened to catch Mr. Goss today discussing glucose with his students.  He is very comfortable in his own skin and not afraid to be silly.  His excitement and passion is evident.  Putting yourself out there and eliminating some of the natural barriers between students and teachers is a great way to build relationships in the classroom.  It has nothing to do with losing respect.  Instead it has everything to do with mutual respect.  Show them you will work with them and students often will follow.  Great Job Mr. Goss.

The relationships and rapport we have with our students at LHS is what makes this building great.  Do what you can to be the reason a student comes to school.

Thanks