Building Strong Teacher-Student Connections

I used to struggle connecting with my students. I knew that was the most important part of my job. So I found a better way. I hope you find it as useful as I did. It's the R.E.L.A.T.E framework. Don't skip any step. It's a package deal. R - Recognize individuality Every student is different. Notice their strengths, weaknesses, and interests. If you don't understand them, you can't reach them. E - Empathize with them What might they be experiencing? Don't just assume. Dig and find out. Teaching isn't just about academics. L - Listen to them Find out what they're going through. Understand why they might be disengaged. When you care you become someone they trust. A - Affirm their feelings Identify their concerns. Explain why their feelings are valid. Make sure they see you understand them. A few moments can make them feel seen and respected. T - Teach human skills It's not all about academics. Teach them empathy, responsibility, resilience. Validate their need to learn these skills. This helps them trust your guidance. E - Ensure regular feedback Address any concerns they have about their performance. Provide constructive feedback (hint: use AI). Encourage them to do better. When students see you put in effort They will reciprocate. This framework has been a game-changer for me. I hope it does the same for you.

This writer took the time to understand and capture essential details about our work, aligning voices from leadership, teachers, and students that echo core elements of this approach to career-related teaching and learning. The QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY SD team is proving that a common-career language and method support teachers in adding work context to their content. However, the article also reveals how this method surfaces a broader range of benefits for students and staff. In the first year, a minimum effective dosage has been deployed; a common language of career is developing, and the method for integration is used to season content, instruction, and assessment. Because it doesn't feel like another thing, there is teacher adoption, board support, and alignment with the long-term vision from leadership, Matthew Friedman, Ed.D. Comments that stood out: "I don’t think I’ve ever had, in 20 years of teaching, such a wow across the board. It made me see them in a whole new light." "Students sometimes suspected of being asleep were eager to volunteer." "Teachers say it’s changing the environment inside their classrooms." "It lets them voice their own interests and realize how their strengths may connect to different career paths." "It’s not a one-and-done. This is an ongoing conversation." "It's a common language that everyone could understand." "We’re developing career curiosity for students." "The method relies on students’ self-reporting and making the language part of the instructional core." "The initiative doesn’t require teachers to adopt a new curriculum but to ‘sprinkle’ the RIASEC language throughout existing lessons." "Teachers say they’ve made stronger connections with their students as a result." "Kids quickly embraced the language." Steve Regur Educators Cooperative #TeacherTalent #CareerConnectedSchools #RIASEC #HumanProcess #K12 #CareerDevelopment Kirk Melkonian Jessica Tena Cristina Santos Kathy Boyd https://lnkd.in/gfEuK8yS

🪫This Mindset Will Drain You.🪫 Have you ever found yourself engaging with statements like "That kid just doesn't get it" or "They won't ever figure it out"? It's easy to slip into a mindset that focuses on what's wrong with students rather than understanding what has happened to them. But here's the reality: this mindset will drain you. It creates a barrier between you and your students, preventing meaningful connections and hindering their growth. Instead of labeling students as "problems," let's shift our perspective. What if, instead of asking "What's wrong with them?" we asked, "What has happened to them?" This simple change can open up a world of understanding and empathy. Our Student Success Model isn't about fixing what's wrong with students; it's about understanding them. It's about recognizing the challenges they face beyond the school building and equipping staff with innovative strategies to support students in building the foundation and habits they need to thrive within it. The results speak for themselves, we've witnessed tremendous success. So the next time you catch yourself thinking, "That kid just doesn't get it," pause. Consider what might be happening in their life that you don't know about. Approach them with empathy and understanding. You might be surprised at the difference it makes for them and for you. #teachers #schoolleaders #education #educationreform #linkedin #mentalhealth #twallace