BUILDING INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS

Teachers are considered the second parents of students, so they can ask about the children’s experience in after-school activities. They can also build intentional relationships with their students by recognizing what their students like.

This is a strategy that makes students feel that they belong in the community they are in.

When a student acts up because of several factors, teachers should avoid reprimanding them and instead talk to them and ask what help they need. Teachers are positioned to help students solve problems and work out their issues.

In short, conflict is an opportunity for teachers to extend a helping hand. When trying to talk to students, teachers should watch their language – which is key in these kinds of situations. Find out what happened and if there was something that they could have done differently.

It takes time to build relationships – that’s the honest truth. It takes a while to get through the walls that students have built around themselves. It pays to be open, honest, and vulnerable with your students.

Teachers and students should get in touch with the human side of one another. Another task of teachers is to help students learn that not knowing the answer is all right.

Lastly, teachers should know how to take care of themselves, too.

--oOo— The author is Teacher III at Babo Pangulo Elementary School