Relationships

One of the most important aspects of teaching is developing relationships with students, other teachers, administrators, other school personnel, family members, and members of the community. Students benefit when their teachers provide care and support. By creating positive and nurturing relationships with their students, teachers can shield students from the impact of factors that may negatively impact student achievement. (Wang, M. C., & Haertel, G. D. (n.d.). Teacher relationships. Spotlight on Student Success (N. 309).Philadelphia, PA: The Laboratory for Student Success, The Mid-Atlantic Regional Educational Laboratory).

In this section new teachers will find information that will help them develop appropriate and productive relationships with others within their school and community.

Internet Links:

Documents Available for Download:

  • Your Attitude About Your Students (PDF) Advice and tips to keep in mind about your expectations when you meet your students at the beginning of the year.
  • Self-Assessment/Protégé (PDF) A self assessment questionnaire designed to provide insight into the mentor/protégé relationship.
  • Discussion Topics with Mentor Teacher (PDF) Useful information about obtaining a mentor teacher when you are new to a school, complete with important questions to ask about your new work environment.
  • How to Involve Parents (PDF) Tips on ways to include parents in the day to day activities of your classroom and to keep them up to date on what their child is doing at school.
"The degree to which I create relationships which facilitate the growth of others as separate persons is a measure of the growth I have achieved in myself." 
-Carl Rogers