Building Positive Relationships in the Classroom
When I was younger, my mom would always explain to people that I was a sensitive girl. I was always overcome with emotions – in a way that my critical-thinker, creative-in-every-way, yet practical and level-headed sister wasn’t.
As I became older, I channeled these emotions in a productive way. My overly sensitive heart had so much love to share and, somehow, being involved in a sport or throwing myself into my studies wasn’t enough to satisfy my desire to build relationships.
In high school, I got involved with Best Buddies, the student body, and candy-striping at the hospital.
In college, I joined a variety of organizations as a way to meet people and build relationships. Sure, I learned a lot. I developed my leadership skills. And I collaborated and event-planned and did practical, purposeful things that were against my emotional nature.
But the reason I got involved with all of these things was not because I had a genuine passion for planning events. I didn’t get a thrill out of using spreadsheets, sending e-mails, and making phone calls. The one thing that drove me to my weekly meetings and truly excited my inner core was the fact that I was surrounded by people I loved and cared about.
To me, love is everything. Relationships are what sustain me.Â
I used to question whether that – alone – was enough to be successful in life.
I followed my heart (because that’s when you do when you are emotional and your heart is constantly taking over your mind) and I became a teacher. Surely, my heart would be a pretty big deal in this profession. Surely, I would find success in this field.
Yet, despite my initial thoughts, there were times I doubted myself. Each summer, before the school year started up, my leadership team required us to take a survey or personality test to indicate what type of worker we were. They believed that if we could identify our strengths, we would be able to play on them, pull from them, and each be successful in our own way. Time after time, all these tests would display that my strengths fell in the categories of “Love,” “Relationships,” “Cooperative,” and “Agreeable.”
In my earlier years of teaching, I would stare across the room at the people who were “Analytical” or “Creative” and I felt a tinge of jealousy.
I wished – more than anything – that those skills would come naturally to me. I wished that I had a desire to problem-solve or lead people. But, over and over again, I was reminded that “Love” was where my strengths were. “Love” was what I was good at.
Six years into this gig and there are still days when I wish I had strengths in some of those harder skills. Those more tangible skills.
But, every day, as I walk into my classroom, I remind myself that love is what is important. Love is what propels me forward. And love is what keeps my students invested.
Because kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.
Human connections and relationships play a powerful role in the classroom.Â
So, while I may have to work a little harder when it comes to developing creative content or problem-solving procedures and behavior plans, every decision I make for my students comes from a place of love.
And that, I believe, is what makes me successful.
You sound like an amazing teacher. Your students are definitely lucky to have you!
I love this! I’d love to have a teacher like you with my kids.
Oh and just in case you didn’t see my reply on the question you left on my blog about what camera I used for the post: I use my iPhone and Nikon!
Wonderful. When your intentions are grounded in love they will bear beautiful fruit. Another great post!
Jesus said, love your neighbor like yourself; and Paul said, now abides faith, hope and love, the greatest of these is love. What a blessing you are to your students; you are providing something everyone needs, love. God bless you.
Amen!!!
I wish there were more teacher like you. I also wish the teacher that were like you would be put as a general standard for all teachers. Being a parent, my son has to have some type of connection to his teachers, love brings that connection.
I love when you say every decision comes from love. That shows how amazing of a teacher you are!
I love this so much…. and I can relate as someone who leads with her heart, too. I think that’s difficult for us often because we are deeply invested emotionally in the bonds we form and we want the best for those around us…I can see that this would be especially difficult in a classroom setting, but I truly think it’s a strength and not a weakness or character flaw at all. As you said, students don’t learn from people they don’t like. I imagine they must all love your loving nature 🙂
You sound like such a great teacher, I hope my daughter has a teacher like you when she begin school.
I love my sons teacher but I wish a lot more teachers were like you and him. Showing you care about your students helps so much as they grow in their relationship with others. Their teacher can help build a great foundation on how they treat and respect others.
This is so awesome! And so true. When I look back on my education, all the teachers I loved are the ones who I knew also loved their students. The ones I have bad memories of are the ones who were disrespectful (one of my former classmates just posted on Facebook about how one of those teachers called her stupid in front of the class and she still remembers it) or obviously had no interest in being there. Another teacher comes to mind for that one… he had knee surgery for two months and while he was out my grades went up because we had the best sub. When a teacher loves teaching and their students, it makes such a difference!
My daughter is only a freshman in high school but has some amazing connections with past teachers that still help her today. One she is a book club with so they meet for lunch monthly, I can always tell by her smile that she looks forward to it!
My son is in high school and I have never seen a teenager so eager to go to school. The relationship he has with his teachers and principal is amazing!!! The world needs more teachers like you.
Yesterday, I saw a friend’s post on Facebook about her intention of filing a suit against her son’s teacher. Her 8 year old son came home crying and wanted to quit school altogether. He said the teacher screamed at him, ridiculed him and said bad words to him. There was no love there. None at all. I wish there were more teachers like you in this world. A teacher is “second mom” who is loving and patient and has no other mission than to help her students prepare and be successful in life.
I end up becoming a control freak over minute details when I’m left alone to my own devices.
Can’t fake it with kids. They know when you care and really are concerned.
You must be such a great teacher! I wish I could be less analytical and follow my heart more!
This is such an inspiring post! We definitely need more teachers like you! Your students are so lucky to have you!
Relationships in the classroom are a necessity. I know that I would have been better off with the first school I went to because I lost so many good relationships. Losing them made school hard and made me a very different person.
You sound like an amazing teacher. My kids usually get paired up with great loving supportive teachers.
Another great post.
You are an awesome-amazing teacher full of love.
Your students are blessed to have you Divya.
Awe, you sound like a fabulous teacher! We certainly could use more like you in the classroom.
You are an amazing educator and no wonder many of your students likes you. Its shows in your writing style 🙂
I love this! It’s so important to self-reflect and be aware of your strengths. I think it’s so great that you play up your heart of love and use it to you advantage. You’re students are so lucky to have you as their teacher!
Teaching is tough. I really feel it’s a career that you have to love, or else you’ll get burned out fast (and even if you do love it, burn out can happen). I think you can always tell the teachers that are passionate. Sounds like you are really making a difference in your students’ lives. 🙂
Your students are lucky to have a teacher like you. Thank you for sharing this awesome post.
Love! Love is one of the most important things in a working classroom for sure. I am a problem solver, however I can’t do that without establishing love and respect. 🙂
I’m sure your kiddos think of you as their favorite teacher! How could they not?! It’s wonderful that you know your strengths and weaknesses!
My Grandmother has a saying “pick your friends like you pick your fruit.” And she was right. Choosing the right relationships is something I wish they would have taught when I was in school. If you learn this as a child this good habit will serve you well.
Yes, so true. Communication, relationship building, and connections. That is literally the foundation to everything.
I can tell you’re a great teacher who really puts time and energy in. While I’m not a professional teacher, I did teach English abroad and could have applied these tips. Next time haha.
Thinking back to childhood yes, relationships played such a large role. I loved school until the 3rd grade. After that, not so much.
this is wonderful. My sister is a teacher, and I have the most respect for teachers. It is a job that I could not do
Knowing the subject makes you a good teacher.But loving teaching makes you a excellent. Love is your strength. Wonderful reading this
This was so inspiring! I couldnt agree more!
You are an amazing person & Obvioulsy have a passion to help all your students! If only my sons teacher was like you. X
Amazing post. I have friends that teach and you sound just as passionate when they talk about the connection they have with their students. You require a certain kind of patience and that’s a gift. Welldone Divya
I felt so passionately about teaching and about my students, that many times, I would come home wanting to throw up or cry because they weren’t reaching their potential. Many times I would even get close to tearing up sharing my students’ successes with their parents.
This was such a great look into how you feel about teaching, and what it really takes to be comfortable with who you are as a teacher. I love it!
Nurturing positive connections in the classroom is like magic! When students sense that they are recognized, safe, and valued, their learning thrives. It’s not merely about academic materials—it’s about feelings. A bit of kindness, trust, and laughter can greatly influence the wonderful growth of young minds.
Absolutely! Fostering a positive atmosphere in the classroom resembles creating a warm and inviting learning community—rich in respect, laughter, trust, and collaboration. When hearts unite, minds expand significantly. This is where the genuine enchantment of learning begins!
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