Relationships Matter: Learning and Respect Increase When Students and Teachers Learn About Each Other

Alicia Sanchez

Science teacher Ryan Blood helps a group of his students with an experiment during class.

One important part of school that many may forget about is the relationships that develop between students and teachers. Students start the school year with not knowing their teacher at all on a personal level, and seeing them as only the teacher assigned to the room. But as the year goes along, teachers start building a relationship with students by interacting, conversing, helping, and checking up on them. This all matters to students, because it motivates them and gives them a reason to look forward to continuing to show up to school.

Bonds between students and teachers happen over time as they get to know each other better and help them understand the work required in school. April Carwile, an ELL teacher at GCHS, is one that works hard at building relationships with her students. Carwile said, “Over time, these small interactions help build trust and a strong sense of connection to others.” Being able to trust a teacher allows students to talk about the challenges they have in life and how they may be able to deal with it.

Conversing with students allows teachers to slowly learn about their students for who they really are. These conversations also allow teachers to see the needs that students have outside of the classroom.  Ryan Blood, science teacher, said “As I spent more time teaching them, students communicated when they needed something other than a chemistry lesson. I learned about issues in our school community: loss of parents, the foster care system, and food insecurity.” Understanding the challenges that some students are facing then allows teachers to try to address their basic immediate needs. 

Strong relationships often allow students to become teachers for their teachers. Carwile’s students have taught her so much. Carwile said, “They offer me a different perspective on resilience, adaptability, and cultural diversity.  It’s a powerful reminder that every student has a unique story that shapes who they are and how they learn.”

 Sherlyn Perez, junior said “I enjoy Ms.Carwile’s class because she’s such a great teacher, she has helped me improve in many ways of the things I do in the school.” 

Teachers gain fulfillment, motivation, and inspiration from students and their bonds with them. History teacher Cedric Jude said “I could be working as a doctor and making 10x the amount that I do now, but I don’t do this career for a paycheck. I do it because I want to impact kids; I want to be a role model to kids.” 

Isaiah Jett, junior, has benefitted personally from the time he has spent with Jude in the classroom. Jett said ,“My relationship with Mr. Jude has impacted me by staying strong, motivating me, and focusing more. He hundred percent helped me more than other teachers due to him being the type of person I go to when I need help on something ,because he’s chill, laidback, and funny.”