Ask anyone about their enjoying childhood memories and there are high chances a teacher would be a special part of this. Besides being the beacons of knowledge & one of the most trusted guides for those vulnerable years, teachers are that critical backbone that shape generations and influence our collective future. There is no doubt that a student-teacher relationship is one of the most special and significant aspects of every individual’s life.
The role of a teacher in a student’s life
In the pre-pandemic world, teachers and the students had the chance to connect by way of interacting, discussing etc. However, in the pandemic ecosystem, these unique and informal touchpoints have been weakened by the digital medium & there is a lack of personal connection between the teachers and the students.
The days of classroom teachers as very imparters of curriculum knowledge are long over. The current teacher is a guru, friend, guide & trusted companion who gives wings to the aspiration of the students and teaches them to learn from failures. Teachers today are wearing numerous hats and some of the types of teacher-student relationships include:
Role as a leader
Instead of being an authoritative figures, teachers are mentoring students to channel their talents, hone skills & develop to the best of their potential. Students are being encouraged to lead from the front, value their counterparts as teammates, embrace diversity & inclusion, and be adaptable and agile.
Role as a friend & counsellor
There’s an aspect of fun and trust between teachers & students these days as classroom discussions have moved into the real world, where students are inspired to ask questions, confide their fears, and gently guide in the right direction by their teacher.
Encourage mental health & well-being
It’s okay not to be okay. Armed with this motto, teachers across the world are opening up doors to their students to share their feelings, experiences & concerns and find solutions to their problems & bring positive changes while working on their strengths & weaknesses.
Now, let’s talk about the ways to build a healthy relationship between teacher and student
Encourage feedback
Students feel valued & respected when their teacher listens to their thoughts, opinions and points of view. By allowing them to share their viewpoint, teachers are developing a strong base for self-esteem and confidence.
Bonding outside the classroom
Group activities outside the classroom like school trips, sports or debating competitions and other such activities break the walls within both sides and help students view their teachers as relatable human beings with emotions & an element of fun. This cements the trust factor from their end.
Social and emotional learning methods
A critical component of education & human development, this methodology highlights self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness & relationship skills.
Impact of a teacher-student relationship
We at Gurugram Global Heights School aim to develop a long-term relationship that will demonstrate to be instrumental in supporting students in the long run. Following this perspective, we deliver a wide array of support for students by way of delivering Learning Support to Teachers, Academic Counsellors, Guidance Counsellors, Educational Psychologists & Occupational Therapists. All these services aim to develop a strong & long-term relationship between teacher and student.
