Building rapport with students
I think that teaching does not comprise just the classrooms, board markers, exams and worksheets. The triumph of a teacher depends mainly on how he/she handles the students. Many instructors fall short in the teaching profession because they fail to understand people. I feel the following are the most imperitative parts towards developing rapport with your students.
1. Respect your students. The instructors demeanor should make the students feel comfortable. Your words should reflect your personality.
2. Sense of humor. A teacher must have this positive quality. If you can’t laugh in the class, something is really wrong. Sense of humor illuminates classrooms. Students tend to crave for such sessions.
3. Speak positively. An instructor is someone who can make a difference in students’ lives.
4. Knowledge is the key. An instructor is respected for his/her knowledge first.
5. Remember Names. Students love you when you remember their names. It gives a kind of personal touch to your teaching.
6. Say no to partiality. Always remain balanced. Keep your mind sensitive to the expectations of each student. While you teach, make sure you have perfect eye contact with all sections in the classroom.
7. Be a good instructor but strict. Never compromise on disciplinary issues. Your students must know what type of a teacher you are in spite of your friendliness.
8. Be what/who you are. Don’t imitate anybody or don’t present a wrong picture about your personality. Be quite honest with your personality. Stick to your inner voice and keep moving.
Hi Mary,
Right you are about the development of rapport. In addition good rapport with students carries on throughout their careers. It is always good to have a student call up years after taking one of my courses and chat with me about how much they learned and how good they are going in their career. This is what makes teaching worth it.
Gary
These ingredients to a great rapport are very well said. I believe that not only do student do better and are more comfortable with their instructor but they retain so much more through rapport. It opens up their mind to want to learn and to have mutual conversations/feedback and respect in their classroom. M. Beck
Hi Randolph,
Being consistent is very important as a teacher. Your point about needing to encourage students each day is a good one. By showing respect for them and helping them to see the reasons for the content that day will serve to keep them engaged in the course and lead to higher retention rates.
Gary
Respect is a two way street I always begin with addressing the entire class with how are we doing today ladies and genlemen and as I call rolei tell each student welcome every day this brings a personal note to the class and if some one is having a not such good day they should take note that they are being spoken to with respect and that little bit could rais their moral and usually does
Hi Don,
Good idea. This also should reduce some of the feeling of entitlement that students are bringing to the classroom today. If they have respect for themselves, other students and the instructor then they will be more focused on their course work and their career success.
Gary
The first discussion I have with my students is how important respect is in the classroom. Respect for each other and most importantly respect for themselves. Generally we discuss for 5 - 10 minutes what we want to accomplish in the class for the course and how respect plays in to the learning environment.
Marcy; i like what you said. Students of all ages can sense if a teacher has integrity. They respond best when they are treated respectfully.I have noticed that with our diverse population that this is a key element. Students who feel disrespected will become disciplinary problems and will ultimately not succeed. Making the small effort to recognize each student by name and a personal tidbit like remembering that he/she missed class for dental surgery and asking how he feels can go far in establishing mutual rapport. Everyone, everywhere wants to be noticed and respected.
I also find that it is difficult but well worth the time and effort. As and administrator I oversee many students who I do not teach. The students who i teach i develop a rapport with as i spend more time with them. This relationship lasts throughout their time at school and even through graduation.Everyone comes with a story.Some of these are quite unbelievable. Relationships cannot be built with out some background and perspective which comes from time and interest. I wish i could get to know all our students. Unfortunately, i frequently spend more time with those who struggle and never get to know our A students.
I use associations for names but there are so many names i have never heard before it can be a challenge!
Hi Dale,
You are right about the names. Anything you can do to help you remember their names will pay off in a higher level of student rapport.
Gary
I have the hardest time remembering student names. I know i have to try harder at this. Students really appreciate it when you know their names.
Hi Bob,
Spoken like a veteran teacher. We do have to reach out to those students that are a bit shy and reluctant to participate in the class. It is amazing how once they are comfortable in the setting they will start demonstrating their knowledge and skill growth.
Gary
I have found that the fastest way to build rapport is to start with those that are the most uncomfortable with the situation they are in. It is human nature to distance oneself from any uncomfortabe enviriroment. Which, in the classroom is as far away from the instuctor as possible.... The back of the room.... It's not at all absolute, however it is a good place to begin. The students have a good grasp for those in the room that are stressed. And they will communcate with each other sooner than with the "stranger in the room". If one can develop rapport with a student in that situation, the effort will migrate with ease, sometimes to a point of overwhelming results.
Hi Paul,
Drawing out students that are a bit shy or uncertain about their knowledge is always a challenge for instructors. Sounds like you have a good grasp of their needs and can target what they need to become involved in the class activities and discussions.
Gary
Students who are extroverts are usually the easiest to build rapport with. Introverts require a little more time and effort to build thier trust. Some of the best students start out timid and reserved. It is up to the instuctor to make them feel comfortable enough to open up and add to classroom discussions.
Hi Dan,
You are right in saying you will have a big advantage by teaching in your former school. You know how it works from the student side in your school. This should help you as you plan your classes and projects.
Gary
I will be instructing at the very school that I attended. This will give me a big advantage in connecting with my students. I can relate to their experience and feelings. And also serve as an example of success in their field.
Hi Jose,
Right you are about the things you outlined that an instructor need to have and do to be successful with students. If we as instructors work hard on these things then our success will be greater with our students and they will be able to realize their career goals.
Gary
I ABSOLUTELLY AGREE ON ALL POINTS AN INSTRUCTOR MUST BE FIRST KNOWLEDGEABLE, PROFESSIONAL, POSITIVE, RESPECTFUL, GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR ALSO HELP TO GAIN RESPECT AS THE LEADER OF THE CLASSROOM AND IT GOES A LONG WAY IN BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND RAPPORT WITH THE STUDENTS.
Bulding a rapport with students is necessary because if the student is not comfortable with you then the student is less likely to ask for help when needed.
