Exploring ways to cultivate students' confidence

The author Rose anne T. Lavides

Trust and respect – these are the two words teachers need to build with their students.

Teachers need to gain their students’trust and respect because if the students have faith in and respect for their teachers, they are more likely to believe and respect the decisions and plans that the latter have for the whole class.

Now, how do teachers build these foundations? Set a positive example for the students by guiding them toward the principles you want to instill.

Everyone in a class, including the teacher, must take responsibility for their actions to build a trust-and-respect-based relationship.

Here are some tips to practice to earn the trust and respect of students:

Engage. Get to know your students, and identify how to properly interact with them; Listen. Pay attention to what they are saying, and pause to consider your response; Be open. It will be easy for the students to communicate if the teacher is approachable, students will feel no fear of rejection or embarrassment;

Acknowledge. Make them feel valued by recognizing their works. You never know, a simple “Good job!” could make a huge impact on someone’s individuality; and lastly,

Motivate. Some students are afraid of expressing themselves. Giving them a little push will help them boost their confidence and encourage them to openly express their ideas and feedback.

These are only some of the things teachers can do to build trust and respect with the students.

Aside from these, they can also acquire various pieces of training to strengthen their interpersonal, leadership, and teaching skills, which is especially important now that the return to the classroom is approaching.

Teachers are the ones leading the students to success, and as they learn to connect with them, they also cultivate a safe environment in which students feel trusted and respected.

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The author is Teacher II at Pansinao Elementary School,

Candaba West District