Back to School: Build Relationships From Day 1

Written by Emily Upton - Posted Sept. 8, 2023

Want to create meaningful connections with your students and have better classroom management starting with the first day of school? Building relationships with your students from the start is key! Here are some of my favorite strategies for fostering strong bonds with your students from the beginning of the school year.

1. Get Personal: Tell your students about you!

Building relationships with students starts with letting your students see you not just as their teacher, but as a person. You can tell them about your interests (I'm pretty sure everyone in my school knew about my obsession with Taylor Swift!), hobbies, or even
your quirky pets (Kids from years past always asked me how Ed-Cat was doing). Sharing personal stories not only humanizes you but gives students a glimpse into your life outside the classroom. It shows that you are a real person with interests and experiences beyond the subject matter you teach. It also gives you a chance to connect about shared interests.

2. Names Matter: Say them right!

Your students' names matter. On the first day of class, take the time to introduce yourself and have one-on-one conversations with each student. I usually walk around with my roster while they're working on their warm-up that first day. Ask them how they want you to address them, and make sure to tell them that you want them to correct you if you mess up. Make sure you use your students' correct pronouns as well. This is a simple way to show your students you care about them as an individual from your first interaction with them!

3. Get-To-Know Them All Year: Question of the Day

My absolute favorite strategy for building relationships is incorporating a "Question of the Day" into your classroom routine. I started every single class with a quick question. This allows you to learn more about your students not just during the first week of school, but throughout the year! Questions can range from SEL topics to questions about their interests or school experiences. This quick daily interaction fosters a sense of community and gives every student a chance to share their thoughts daily. (Want a year of SEL and community-building questions done for you? Click here!)

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4. Let Them Know You Care!

One of the most powerful ways to build relationships with students is by letting them know you genuinely care about them. Tell your students that you miss them when they're absent and let them know you're happy they're there, even when they're late. I made an effort to say "Hey, we're so glad you're here!" to students when they came in tardy, and I truly think it made a difference. Students can sense when a teacher is sincere, and your words can make all the difference for a kiddo who had a tough morning or is anxious about the fact that they missed class the previous day. When students feel valued and cared for, they are more likely to be engaged and cooperative in the classroom.

5. Build in Student Shout Outs!

I love using student shoutouts to help build a positive classroom community. Students quickly fill out a form to "shout out" a classmate that they catch doing something good. This is a great way to build confidence and help students to build connections with each other. Every Friday, students would read their shout-out forms and give them to their classmates. You can have students look for specific SEL skills that they are learning, or allow them to write about anything positive they notice their classmates doing. 

Relationships as a Classroom Management Tool

The importance of building strong relationships with students goes beyond fostering a positive classroom environment. It also plays a huge role in managing behavior. When students feel connected to you, they are more likely to follow classroom rules and expectations. They're on your side! This can eliminate a lot of behavior issues in the classroom.

Building relationships with your students is an absolutely essential part of the back-to-school season. By sharing a part of yourself, learning and using their names correctly, engaging in meaningful daily interactions, and expressing your care, you can create a classroom environment where students thrive both academically and emotionally. These relationships are not only important for a successful learning experience but also serve as a valuable tool for managing behavior. So, how do you build relationships with your students? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!