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Tips on Connecting with Students

The most rewarding part of being a teacher is when you are able to make a personal connection with your students. It's an amazing feeling when former students come back and say how much you had an impact on their lives. In those first few years, however, you're too busy just trying to stay above water with all you are required to get done to make those life-long connections. Here are a few ways that I've managed to make my students feel important.

Great Day in History  -  Celebrate your students' birthdays. Make it a big deal. You don't have to go all out with a birthday cake and a clown or anything like that, but make some effort to show them that you remembered. The other day, I was walking down the hall when I saw a student horsing around by the lockers. I yelled his name, “Erick!” Everyone in the hall stopped to look at me. It got suddenly quiet. Erick stood there in shock, knowing that he had been caught messing around in the halls. I walked to him while every pair of eyes followed me as I neared. When I reached him, I said in a firm voice, “Happy Birthday.” The kids all exhaled at once, along with Erick, who said, “Thank you.” It was cool. I also start the day with a warm-up activity called, Today In American History, where I go over important events that took place in America on this day in history on a PowerPoint slide. If there is a student who has a birthday, I also add that event to the other important events that took place on this day. With our school records now online, I can download a picture of the student and add it the PowerPoint. They really like this. Who doesn't like having their birthday celebrated? My birthday is September 27 by the way. I like chocolate.

The Big Deal - Make a big deal when they do something great. – We all like praise. We all like when people recognize when we do something good. We remember those moments. It changes us for the better. Give your students something to remember by making a big deal about what they do well, and quickly forget their mistakes or shortcomings.

Stop Everything - Give value to ALL student problems, even the stupid ones. Most students see today, and that's all. They don't see past this particular moment when everything is going wrong in their lives. They'll come to you in tears wanting some resolution to their problem. To you, the problem will be laughable. Don't laugh. This is where you separate yourself from the teachers that students forget. Take time to listen. Stop what you're doing, look into their eyes, and listen. When you do this, you give value to the student's problem, and as a result, the student feels valued. This is powerful. This student now will be that student who defends you when other students start giving you a hard time.

I Promise - Follow through with promises / threats - This is one of those obvious pieces of advice. As in life, if you want your word to have any value, you need to keep your promises. If you promise a detention, give it. If you promise a reward, don’t forget to hand it out.

I’m Normal - Make sure you find a place on your desk or near your desk to display photos of your husband, wife, kids, pets, etc. It  makes you "normal" in the eyes of your students.

Wall of Students - Don't throw away the pictures that your students give you. Create a collage of photos of past students. Once your current students seen that you appreciate their smiling faces, they'll save a photo of themselves to add to your collection. We normally only display photos of the important people in our lives. Adding their photo to a collection sends a great message.