This document discusses the importance of relationships between teachers and students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. It provides tips for building positive relationships in each category. Strong relationships can improve academic achievement, engagement, behavior, and the overall school environment. While virtual learning makes relationships more challenging, the key components of respect, trust, and support remain unchanged. The document offers 33 strategies for fostering teacher-student relationships remotely through more intentional connection.

1. January 28, 2021
Beginning Teacher
Professional
Development

2. Power of Relationships in Schools
https://www.edutopia.org/video/power-relationships-schools

3. Student - Teacher
Relationships

4. Why are Relationships Important in Teaching?
Improving students' relationships with teachers has important,
positive and long-lasting implications for both students'
academic and social development. ... The student is likely to
trust his or her teacher more, show more engagement in
learning, behave better in class and achieve at higher levels
academically.

5. Why Strong Teacher Relationships Lead to
Student Engagement and a Better School
Environment
Teacher-student relationships can promote school success in the following ways:
Strengthens academic achievement
Reduces chronic absenteeism
Promotes self-motivation
Strengthens self-regulation
Improves goal making skills

6. Ways to Build Relationships with Your Students
1. Spend 1-On-1 Time with a Student: During one-on-one time, a student has the teacher's full attention. Some students
don't feel compelled to perform for other students, they'll usually speak honestly.
2. Look for Something to Comment On: This involves a teacher having a personal conversation with a student about
something the student is interested in for just two minutes every day for 10 consecutive days
3. Develop an Interest in Their Interests: Today's students have many interests. Showing students that you respect their
extracurricular interests by learning and asking questions about them, you can build strong and meaningful connections with hard-to-
reach kids.
4. Share Your Stories: Storytelling is one of the easiest ways to connect with students.
5. Have a Sense of Humor: Students need to laugh, and you can have fun while still maintaining strong classroom
management.
6. Attend Student Events: One tried-and-true way of building relationships with students is to attend their events. Students love
seeing their teacher at their sporting events, speech and debate competitions, and drama productions.

7. Parent - Teacher
Relationships

8. Why are Parent-Teacher Relationships Important?
Positive relationship with your students’ families allows you share
concerns and work together for the success of that child.
Positive parent-teacher relationships can boost academic
achievement
And these positive relationships can improve the academic
support a child receives at home

9. Positive Relationships with Families
1. Imagine yourself in their place.
2. Begin with a positive interaction — and then keep it up.
3. Find out how families prefer to be reached.
4. Gather your thoughts in advance.
5. Use “I” statements.
6. Set boundaries together.
7. Communicate clearly and be solutions-oriented.
8. Send a follow-up email if needed.

10. Colleague - Colleague
Relationships

11. A growing criticism of the educational system is that
teachers spend too much of their time distanced from
other adults. To combat this loneliness, educators can
reach out and connect with their colleagues and build
positive relationships and ultimately improve the quality
of instruction they can offer students.

12. Adapted from:
https://harmoniousbeginnings.weebly.com/building-positive-relationships-with-colleagues.html
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/25-ways-teachers-can-connect-more-with-their-colleagues/
Follow these tips to connect more with your
colleagues!
● Get on same page (expectations are known and everyone valued)
● Teach and learn from each other
● Collaborate on lesson plans
● Share what works
● Start or participate in a blog or social network
● Schedule get-togethers
● Work together to solve problems
● Keep your door open
● Make time for chatting
● Be trustworthy

13. Adapted from:
https://harmoniousbeginnings.weebly.com/building-positive-relationships-with-colleagues.html
https://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/25-ways-teachers-can-connect-more-with-their-colleagues/
A positive relationship will develop if you…...
● Ask questions
● Listen and praise
● Put the Kibosh on Negativity
● Be open to new ideas
● Respect diversity
● Be flexible and adaptable
● Don’t come across as over-confident
● Share appropriate things about yourself
● Be willing to do your part

14. Teacher - Administrator
Relationships

15. Building a relationship with your
administrators
A positive working relationship with your principal and
assistant principal can make all the difference between a
great teaching experience or a miserable one. In order to
build a positive relationship with your administrators, you
must understand the skills and behavior they value.
https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/6-secrets-building-relationship-your-principal1809.html

16. Characteristics that Administrators
Value
1. Don’t be afraid of change
2. Be positive
Principals appreciate a good attitude. Teaching is difficult and many of the factors that affect a
student’s success is out of our control. It’s easy to get caught in the negativity. Principals
recognize that an optimistic teacher can have a profound impact on the school culture, so they
are thankful for resilient teachers with upbeat attitudes.
https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/6-secrets-building-relationship-your-principal1809.html
Change is a part of life and education is no exception. Curriculums are
constantly updating, revolving state mandates, new policies, and never
ending new initiatives that teachers must deal with. Teachers must adapt
quickly and administrators appreciate the flexibility.

17. 3. Get the job done
Teachers must take care of their classroom duties. But often, teachers are expected to take on extra
responsibilities such as workshops, committee work, school events and curriculum development.
Principals must delegate work and need to be know that the task will be completed correctly and
efficiently. If you are assigned a task, the principal needs to be able to trust that you will complete it.
4. Be a Problem Solver
The day in the life of a principal is filled with problems. Problems in which they may not have the
answer to. If you can help overcome the obstacles for him/her, your principal will view you as a key
component to his/her school.
https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/6-secrets-building-relationship-your-principal1809.html

18. 5. Grow professionally
Principals love teachers who take initiative by seeking additional certifications, completing
professional development, and completing coursework. Earning a master’s degree can help
teachers become stronger practitioners. Special education, English language learners, and
National Board Teacher certifications are also valuable.
6. Contribute to the school’s culture
Principals appreciate teachers who contribute to a school’s culture. Teachers can accomplish this
by:
● seeing that all students succeed.
● helping each other out and lifting each other up.
● celebrating successes.
● sharing of ideas.
● building community at school.
● boosting morale.
● showing school pride.
● solving conflict.
● not creating drama.
https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/6-secrets-building-relationship-your-principal1809.html

19. Virtual Relationships

20. Relationships matter. We know this.
We’ve always known this.
In fact, it’s the exact reason many of us chose
education as a profession. We believe in the power of
connection in learning and in life. And collectively,
we’re very, very good at cultivating strong bonds with
students.

21. Since COVID-19 struck, though:
HOW WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS FROM BEHIND A SCREEN
has become a topic that has left many of us scratching our heads.
Here’s the good news, though. The key components of what makes a good relationship ~ such as respect, trust,
and support ~ haven’t changed.
Will it look the same? No.
Will it feel the same? Maybe not.
Will it be more challenging? Of course.
Relationships likely won’t form as organically in a virtual setting, so we’ll have to be strategic. But, it can be done
and done well!
Here are 33 adaptable strategies for fostering strong teacher-student relationships in a remote environment.

24. Questions?