Building Student Relationships for Classroom Management Success

Hello EduMagicians! Welcome back to another exciting episode of the EduMagic Podcast! I’m Dr. Sam Fecich, and today we’re diving into a powerful topic for future and new teachers: building student relationships to support classroom management.

I’m thrilled to welcome Ashley Tetter, an experienced educator who shares incredible insights on how forming strong connections with students can transform your teaching journey.

Why Building Student Relationships Matters for Classroom Management

Ashley began her teaching career in 2016 in a kindergarten classroom, where she quickly discovered that relationships are the foundation of effective classroom management. But it doesn’t stop there—building relationships is about seeing students as individuals and continuing to nurture those connections all year long.

Strategies for Building Strong Student Relationships

Ashley shared several practical and heart-centered strategies that help her build meaningful connections with her students:

Student Surveys

At the beginning of the year, Ashley gives her students a survey, not just about favorite subjects, but about their favorite cartoons, book series, and hobbies. These personal details help her connect with each student uniquely.

The Two-by-Ten Rule

Ashley spends 10 minutes a day talking with two students each week. This simple yet powerful practice shows students that their teacher genuinely cares about them as individuals.

Ongoing Engagement

Ashley continues to engage with students throughout the year by incorporating their interests into lessons, choosing read-alouds they love, or attending their extracurricular events. These small actions build trust and show students that she’s invested in their lives.

Turning Challenging Relationships Around

Not every relationship is easy to build, especially with students who have experienced trauma or are difficult to reach. Ashley shared a touching story about a student who had faced significant trauma. Through consistent care, patience, and understanding, she was able to build a strong bond with that student. It’s a powerful reminder that relationships can be the key to unlocking a student’s potential.

Balancing Professional Boundaries

New teachers often wonder how to be approachable while maintaining professional boundaries. Ashley’s advice? Set clear expectations early and focus on academics while building relationships. When students know their teacher cares and expects them to learn, the classroom becomes a space for both connection and growth.

Creative Classroom Management Ideas

Ashley also shared some fun and effective classroom management strategies introduced by her student teacher:

• Name Sticker Charts: Rewarding students for consistently writing their names on their papers—great for building responsibility and organization.

• Pencil Management: Using travel toothbrush holders to store pencils and rewarding students for keeping their supplies neat and ready.

Download the listening guide

Copy of EduMagic Podcast Listener Activity Sheet - A few classroom management tips for stu.

Download • 147KB

Relationships First, Management Follows

Building strong student relationships is essential for effective classroom management and creating a positive, engaging learning environment. Ashley’s experiences remind us that the time and effort we invest in our students pays off in powerful ways.

Stay Connected with Dr. Sam Fecich

Want more inspiration and support on your teaching journey? Let’s connect!

🎯 Discover Your Student Teacher Superpower: Take the free quiz and uncover your unique strengths in the classroom: What’s Your Student Teacher Superpower?

📸 Join the Conversation on Instagram. Tag me @sfecich with your thoughts and takeaways from this post!