Module 2 Pre-Work Exploratory
M-ARC Program Outcome 3: Build Positive Rapport and Relationships with Students to Support Learning
*This exploratory should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Be sure you complete this exploratory before Tuesday, October 23 at 6:30 PM.*
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Module 2 Learning Goals
- Reflect on the current state of relationships with your students
- Identify potential roadblocks that are preventing stronger relationships
- Watch 20 minutes of a TeachingWorks Seminar talk that focuses on building relationships
- Reflect on next steps to apply with your students
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Do you have a favorite teacher from grade school? Think back to that teacher and try to identify a few reasons why they were your favorite teacher. Was it because they taught you a mathematical equation or irregular plurals? Most likely not. Most likely it doesn't have much to do with the content this teacher imparted on you, but instead the relationship and rapport that teacher established with you. While it is certainly important that teachers master their content and manage their classrooms, it's paramount that teachers take the time and effort to connect with each of their students.
Being that it is mid-October you likely are feeling more confident of teaching content and you have some core teaching and management strategies. But how are your student relationships developing? Students are humans, and as humans they want to see that their teachers are humans too and that they can connect in meaningful ways, even with the routines, content and assignments.
There are many setbacks when it comes to fostering strong rapport and relationships between a teacher and their students. One of more of these may resonate with you:
- There is not enough time to develop relationships
- The environment in the class has seemed toxic from the start
- There are a select few students that really struggle, which hinders the ability to connect with anyone
- There is too much content to teach and not enough time to connect
All of these roadblocks are normal for beginning teachers to experience and in reality some master teachers experience these setbacks too. What roadblocks are in your way from developing a strong foundation with each student? How can you overcome that roadblock so that you can begin to open up and in turn have your students open up to you?
Despite the roadblocks, educators must step back and take responsibility for developing relationships with each student. Yes, this might mean falling a little behind on the curriculum or making other sacrifices with your time, but it will pay off to show your students that you care about each of them first and foremost as a human that has the need for connection and compassion.
Let's move onto some applications of how you can begin to strengthen your relationships in your classroom. Below you will find a recording from TeachingWorks Links to an external site., an education organization within the University of Michigan's School of Education. The recording is from a seminar series talk by Dr. Tyrone C. Howard and is titled Building Respectful Relationships with Students. We ask that you watch at least 20 minutes of the talk, starting at the 1 hr 15 min mark and ending at 1 hr 35 min mark. This segment is the tail end of the talk, so if you have time, we encourage you to watch the beginning and middle portions too.
Building respectful relationships with students Links to an external site. from TeachingWorks at UMSOE Links to an external site. on Vimeo Links to an external site..
On the next page we will ask you a reflection question to ponder in preparation for your virtual conference session with your content group.