RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

CELY M. LOPEZ

Forging strong relationships and community building should be on a teacher’s agenda from Day 1 of the school year, because learning does not really happen without relationships. Yes, there are rules in the classroom, but relationships matter, too. What better way is there to deepen our relationships with students than to share a bit about ourselves with them? This will create opportunities for them to share with us — and each other.

Rules and policies are of course crucial so that our students what to expect from us. Over the years, we have learned to be firm and clear about classroom expectations from the start, which makes all the difference for the rest of the school year.

Apart from rules and expectations, it would be a good idea to open ourselves to our students. We can share general information about our families, where we went to school, jobs we had before teaching, among others.

Our students would be interested to know what struggles we had growing up, as a student, so they can relate. We can tell them what we value the most, and what we love to do. This can motivate our students to do the same – and then we can get to know them.

Tell them what you would change about the world, and what risks you are willing to take in life. This would change their perspective about you as someone they cannot approach; they now know that we are, after all, also humans who make mistakes in life. Showing our humanity to students allows us to be a friend, and not just “The Teacher”.

Don’t be afraid to show a little vulnerability to students, as this will make you more loveable and endearing to them. When we reveal who we are, how we feel, what our fears are and our dreams, we reach out to them in a certain level.

Students should also do the same in relation to their peers. By now, they have seen that this matters to you and that as a group, you’re a class and not simply a teacher and her students.

— oOo— The author is Teacher III at Caduang Tete Elementary School.