Bree Gage Teacher Education Faculty CSU Bakersfield

 Approximately 36% of students feel in high agreement that there are caring adults at school (CHCS, 2013)  While only 14% have a high level of agreement that they are able to meaningfully participate at school

The DOs  Communicate  Weekly grade reports  Behavior reports  Discuss positive learning environments at home  Plans for homework/work completion  Surprise parents with positives  Use Technology  Facebook (professional)  Remind  Twitter  Student Information System  Answer s within 24 hours  Keep grades up-to-date  Refer parents to appropriate staff and faculty (social workers, school counselors, etc...) The DON'Ts  Communicate  Discuss marital problems  Take sides in a custodial battle  Complain about how difficult your job is or how you are too busy to work with students  Complain about co-workers or administration  View yourself as the expert of a child "I know him, I am with him 7 hours a day..."  Assume a parent does not care about a child, even if they are not involved  Avoid telling parents bad news  Wait until parents ask to give information

 Initiate contact  Be timely  Consistency and Frequency  Follow-through  Clarity of Communication  Know their names  Smile

Have you had any undesirable outcomes? If so, please share, what would you do differently?

The Dos  Get to know and connect with each student  Consider extending due date or working on a plan to get work in (work with students)  Let students get to know you  Be human, we are not always right, show that, apologize when appropriate  Individual curriculum and learning outcomes  Avoid sarcasm  Create a comfortable environment  Show warmth and respect  Greet students at the front door, every day  Ask - self report surveys for older studentsself report surveys for older students  Be the popular teacher (for the right reasons)  Believe in your students  Reflect on the week and share (2 and 1)

The DON'Ts  Follow, friend, etc...your students on social media  Exempt students from projects or work  Make academic goals the only goals in your classroom  Forget to maintain a classroom management plan  Assume that middle school and high school students do not need a connection with their teachers  Discount the check-in system  Devalue the importance of a connection with students

Do this...Not this...

Discussion: What strategic ways have you found that help foster relationships with students?

 Humor  Story Telling  Attend events (theater, sports, carnivals)  Participate in school events (rallies, competitions, dance-offs)  Facilitate school events (curriculum nights, field days, etc...)  Take each and every opportunity to dress up  Have a positive attitude and love what you do

Boynton, Mark, and Christine Boynton. "Developing Positive Teacher-Student Relations." Developing Positive Teacher-Student Relations. Ascd.org, Web. 16 Feb Foley, Dave. "5 Tips for Better Relationships With Your Students." Nea.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb Sears, Nina. "Building Relationships with Students." Nea.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb