Creating Rapport With My Students
Creating a good rapport is necessary for a good learning environment. The students have to feel they can trust their teacher. The students need to be able to trust their teacher will tell them the truth, will keep promises or commitments and will freely admit to being human and making mistakes. A teacher must be able to admit when he or she doesn’t know the answer and apologize as appropriate. Being trustworthy creates a safe and secure learning environment and this also sets a good example for student behavior in the long run.
It is also necessary to have high expectations of the students, as students tend to live up or down to a teacher’s expectations. Students need to be respectful of themselves, other students and the teacher to foster an environment where it is safe to ask questions, to experiment, to think out loud and to be wrong. Respect is earned, on both sides.
Outside of the classroom it is necessary to be aware of other factors in the students’ lives, and where possible to act to mitigate those circumstances or adapt when necessary. It helps if the teacher is current with slang and popular cultural references. Genuine concern and interest in the student as a person will create rapport and the students will know their progress truly matters to their teacher.
Creating a good rapport is necessary for a good learning environment. The students have to feel they can trust their teacher. The students need to be able to trust their teacher will tell them the truth, will keep promises or commitments and will freely admit to being human and making mistakes. A teacher must be able to admit when he or she doesn’t know the answer and apologize as appropriate. Being trustworthy creates a safe and secure learning environment and this also sets a good example for student behavior in the long run.
It is also necessary to have high expectations of the students, as students tend to live up or down to a teacher’s expectations. Students need to be respectful of themselves, other students and the teacher to foster an environment where it is safe to ask questions, to experiment, to think out loud and to be wrong. Respect is earned, on both sides.
Outside of the classroom it is necessary to be aware of other factors in the students’ lives, and where possible to act to mitigate those circumstances or adapt when necessary. It helps if the teacher is current with slang and popular cultural references. Genuine concern and interest in the student as a person will create rapport and the students will know their progress truly matters to their teacher.