Picture this: An absent father returns home after being gone for much of his kids life! He now demands respect from the children he has abandoned for several years. However, his children do not show him nearly the amount of respect that he feels he is entitled to...especially since they feel they don't even "really" know him!
This example serves as a reminder that its very difficult to have respect without relationship. I believe this also holds true in the classroom. Often times educators expect students to respect them, apart from having an established relationship. It has been my experience that if we as educators first take the time to develop a relationship with our students, then respect will soon follow.
Here are a few ways to develop healthy relationships with students:
1) Get to know what your students like. What are their interests?
2) Get to know your students living situation. What is their family life like?
3) Play. Take a few minutes to do an activity or game.
4) Support your students the best you can outside of the classroom. Attend games, plays, performances, etc...
5) Be available to them. Have an open door policy.
Great post, buddy! I have been interviewing school administrators this month looking for their best answers to these two questions: What are the common traits of your best teachers and what are the common traits of your least effective teachers? Their best teachers 1) get to know their students in and out of their class, 2) earn respect from their students, and 3) have a passion for their subject and for seeing their students succeed. Your post reinforces these findings. Thanks for work on this blog! Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteRhett Laubach
www.YourNextSpeaker.com