Three ways to connect with students and inspire their learning

Key points:

A recent Gallup poll asked more than 2,000 Gen Z students what factors combine to make the best middle and high school teachers. I am encouraged by your clear favorite:

The survey confirms that students crave a sense of care and trust, which are hallmarks of human connection. After nearly 20 years of connection-focused teaching practice, I offer three ways to foster meaningful connections with them and inspire their learning. And since we are forging connections between human beings, these three methods are based on human faculties.

We connect with our heart, our muscles and our mind.

Connect with students through your heart

My daughter's fifth-grade substitute teacher stepped in last fall, when the school had a last-minute vacancy to fill. This guy became a legend to children, mainly because they were able to witness the depth of his heart. Near the end of his two-month tenure, he candidly explained to them why he was leaving.

He told them that his father is getting old and that he has to take care of him. Because his father lives in a different part of the country, he explained that he needed to move to be near his father. He talked about how his brothers were already there and that he needed to come help because, in his words, “it's my turn.”

Some of the students were crying, but that was okay. He did not miss the opportunity to share his heart with the group. In fact, his phrase traveled organically to parents and families; We started saying “my turn” to each other, just to honor the power of her heart and the courage to be vulnerable in front of 10-year-olds. And now look how the power of his heart even reached you.

I'm not advocating tearful lessons in the classroom, far from it. However, I do advocate having an open door to that heart level, every day. Furthermore, vulnerability comes in gradations. Take responsibility for mistakes and apologize when necessary. Share personal moments in your learning journey that align with the student experience, offering perspective and compassion. Even greetings can be heart-centered. Continue to greet, make eye contact, and show that you want to see and be seen by your students.

Connect with students through your muscle

Try the following student survey: “Raise your hand if you've ever had a teacher try to trick you.” Then watch your hands rise toward the sky. An alarmingly high number of students live in a state of protection from “gotcha!” caused by teachers. moments.

We must not be adversaries of our students; We must be their partners. The first order of business is to recognize. You can say, “I'm so sorry if you felt misled by a teacher you've had. And I promise that I will never, ever try to deceive you. I certainly will challenge you. I will tell you if you are wrong, without judging you, and I will help you correct it. But I will never operate within an energy of deception. You can say I'll throw you fastballs… but I will. No throw curveballs at you.”

Being partners with students means being their consummation. defenders. What is important to them becomes important to us. Therefore, please take any reasonable requests or complaints you may have seriously. Let them know that we want to receive their comments, because by doing so, we implicitly communicate that we trust your needs.

Partners are also responsible to each other. The mind of a young student is programmed to detect justice or the lack thereof. For example, we ask students to make class commitments, such as preparing for an exam scheduled on a certain date. But to them, it is totally unfair that we do not make commitments ourselves, such as grading those same exams on a certain date. This imbalance in commitment smacks of hypocrisy to them. Therefore, in a way that is conducive to your schedule, make a public commitment about when tests will be graded. They will fondly remember that day when it comes.

Such efforts at teacher transparency, or encouraging feedback to turn appropriately, or making commitments, are at the end of the day, work. Work requires muscle and students perceive those efforts as bridges of connection with them.

Connect with students through your mind

Connection is the vehicle in which we travel to the destination of learning. What follows are my “greatest hits” from the creators of one-line student connectivity. This style of rhetoric breaks down walls, ignites curiosity, sparks smiles, and conquers shame so inspired learning can flourish.

• Can anyone tell me the answer to____? It's okay if you can't yet.
• Never confuse my silence with you doing something wrong. I'm just giving you a chance to think.
• (In response to a student who said, “I should know this…”) You should be exactly where you are, doing exactly what you are doing, being exactly who you are.
• (In response to a student who said “I'm sorry!” for doing a problem wrong) Never apologize for making a mistake. Instead of thinking that you are right or wrong, simply tell yourself, “I'm figuring it out.”
• (Answers to students' questions)
  ○ Thanks for clarifying.
  ○ I'm glad you asked.
  ○ I understand why you ask that.
• (Answers to students' errors)
  ○ I understand your logic.
  ○ I see what you did.
  ○ I understand why you say that.
  ○ It is understandable that many students make this mistake at first; Here's why.
  ○ If I had asked ____ instead, then you would be right.
• (When a student seems confused) I know that face. Is there something you don't understand? (Students/people really appreciate it when we are attuned to their facial expressions and emotions. Once, when a student's look of confusion led to a productive classroom discussion that clarified the lesson, I turned to her afterwards and said : “Thank you for your face.”)

The mission to connect with students on a human level is not just because they want us to. It is not a trivial mantra, nor because connecting is the right thing to do and a satisfying way to wander the earth.

The best part is that making meaningful human connections with students is actually a blessing for inspired learning. They will simply want to learn more and will do so with a more galvanized frequency. Their leadership generates student acceptance, which then generates culture. Culture transcends; It remains long after the bell rings. So every time students remember who their best teachers were, they will think of you.