Student - Teacher Relationships

Teachers need positive relationships with students to facilitate adherence to classroom rules and procedures, as well as acceptance of disciplinary actions. In fact, many classroom disruptions are due to a breakdown in these relationships and communications. The optimum teacher-student relationship depends on the teacher establishing a healthy balance between dominance and cooperation by:

    1. Exhibiting assertive behavior, which stresses the teacher's legitimate rights & responsibilities in ways that are less likely to be ignored or circumvented.

    2. Establishing & reinforcing clear learning goals and expectations for each lesson and instructional unit.

    3. Integrating students' concerns, interests, and needs in teaching & learning activities.

    4. Taking a personal interest in the students (e.g., informal discussions, greeting them outside class, commenting on important student events, complimenting them for achievements, etc.). 

    5. Using equitable and positive classroom management (e.g., eye contact with all students as moving around the room; attribute ideas to students who initiated them; encouraging all students to participate in classroom discussions & activities; provide appropriate "wait time" for student responses; etc.)¹