We all know that relationships are powerful tools to support learning. The thing is, it's difficult to strike the balance between being passive and being compassionate. How do you build relationships without crossing boundaries while still holding students accountable? Read on to learn how to strike a balance between being closed off and being too lenient...or worse, crossing a line. 

Genuine and caring relationships are powerful in service of student academic progress. The most difficult students need relationships more than others. Does this task feel daunting? What about holding troubled students accountable? Read on to learn how to use reflective listening to help build relationships and hold students accountable. 

If you ever find yourself sucked into arguments with students,  battling to have the last word, or getting stuck in power struggles, this post is for you. It turns out, the calmer you are, the calmer your students will be. The opposite is also true. The more you lose your cool, the more wound up they will get. Keep reading to learn how to stay calm and control your nonverbal communication with one simple strategy. 

Teacher-student relationships are critical for student success. Especially for at-risk, or trauma-affected students. Think about the students who are always getting into trouble. Relationships for these students, when authentic and sustained, will make a world of difference. Additionally, relationships with all students will help them to see you as a human and more than a teacher (and all that stands for). One way to humanize yourself in the eyes of students is to apologize to them. Rather than worry about undermining your authority, recognize that apologies, when done appropriately, will serve to strengthen your relationships and improve student confidence. Curious to know more? Read on and learn why and how to apologize to students.