Belief Statement
We believe positive student–teacher relationships start with a safe, trusting, culturally responsive environment in which both students and teachers are empowered to have open conversations, share personal information, and create authentic connections to foster long-term relationships beyond the classroom.
Open conversations about race, ethnicity, disabilities, and other modes of cultural competence should be infused into the classroom. We create a safe place to hear students' experiences and voices and that builds trust.
Strategies
Explore strategies for building positive relationships between students and teachers by clicking on the links in the sidebar menu.
Support from the Research
Educator Insight
"We used to assume that kids knew how to 'do school' and then we would get frustrated because they didn't....
"Now we don't assume anything. And you model every behavior you want to see. Literally."
— Hear more from Jill Schmoldt, Instructional Coach, Westside Elementary School (Sun Prairie)