Even though you are teaching in high school, you are not in high school. You’re not running for class president or prom king. Also, as a teacher, you have to do things that are actually unpopular, like imposing consequences or giving poor grades. As stated in a previous article: An effective teacher does not make Ms. Nice. However, what teacher does not want to have a good relationship with his students?
This, the seventh in a series of eight articles on classroom management, focuses on building relationships. Use the following strategies to win the trust and hearts of your students.
PRAISE THEM. Give specific and sincere compliments. Instead of saying, “You did a great job,” say, “I appreciate how attentively you sat through the two-hour presentation.”
CHECK THEM. Get information from students about movies, field trips, and activities. Make decisions or revise lesson plans and content based on their feedback.
WRITE THEM. On assignments, point out things your students do well. A positive grade on an assignment, regardless of the grade, will give your students a confidence boost.
WARN THEM. Before a student “gets in trouble,” alert them to the behavior and then help them find ways to avoid consequences. Preparing your students for success in this way will show them that you have their best interests in mind.
FIX THEM. However, to use the more politically correct term, give them consequences. While it may seem counterintuitive, issuing consequences according to your classroom rules will feel predictable and consistent. This will make the students feel safe.
REWARD THEM. Just as you can warn them about negative behavior, you should reward students for meeting expectations. An end-of-semester party, a special trip, or a selection of activities is a great way to accomplish this.
Having a positive relationship with your students and managing your classroom effectively are not mutually exclusive. In fact, relationship building is a key part of classroom management. When you use the tips above, you will build a strong relationship with your students and secure your classroom management skills.
