Building Relationships That Matter in the Classroom

Building strong relationships with students is more than a warm-and-fuzzy goal—it’s a foundational practice that shapes classroom culture, behavior, and academic success. When students feel genuinely seen and valued, they’re more likely to engage, take risks, and contribute to a positive community.

While deep, lasting connections take time, many meaningful interactions require little to no preparation. In fact, the most impactful relationship-building moments often happen in small, intentional gestures woven into your day.

This post is relevant across all grade levels, from kindergarten through high school. The strategies outlined here are flexible and can be adapted to suit the age, personality, and developmental stage of your students. Whether you're welcoming five-year-olds into their first school experience or supporting teenagers navigating identity and independence, strong relationships are at the heart of successful teaching.

Why Relationships Matter

Research consistently shows that students who feel connected to their teachers perform better academically, show improved behavior, and develop stronger social-emotional skills. Relationships create the conditions where trust grows—and where students are more likely to persevere, reflect, and thrive.

Building relationships isn’t just about classroom management; it’s about cultivating a space where students feel safe, capable, and known.

5 Low-Prep Strategies for Building Relationships

Here are five powerful, low-prep ways to build authentic relationships with your students—starting today:

1. Start with a Daily Greeting

Greet each student at the door using their name and a gesture they choose—a handshake, high-five, wave, or fist bump. This simple act starts the day or class period with acknowledgement and connection.

Example: Mrs. Patel stands by her door every morning with a greeting menu posted on the wall. Students point to their choice (fist bump, wave, or smile), and she greets them by name. It takes less than five seconds per student but creates a personal moment right from the start.

2. Use “Noticing” Statements

Instead of praise or correction, try saying, "I noticed you helped your classmate clean up," or "I saw you kept going even when the work was tough." These observations build trust and show students you’re paying attention.

Example: After a group activity, Mr. Lopez says to a student, “I noticed how you let your partner take the lead when they were unsure—thank you for being a good teammate.” The student nods, clearly feeling proud and seen.

3. Learn and Use Students’ Interests

Jot down what your students care about—favorite sports, books, games, or hobbies. Drop these into conversations or examples in lessons. It shows students they matter beyond academics.

Example: Ms. Thompson knows one of her students loves skateboarding. During a math lesson on velocity, she uses skateboarding as the context. The student lights up, and others become more engaged as well.

4. Create Quick Check-Ins

Use a feelings check-in at the start of the day or during transition times. It could be a simple thumbs up/middle/down, a quick sticky note, or a Mood Meter poster that lets students indicate how they’re feeling using colors and emotion words.

Example: Every morning, students in Mr. Greene’s class place a magnet with their name on a color-coded Mood Meter chart labeled with emotions like “calm,” “frustrated,” “excited,” and “tired.” This gives Mr. Greene a quick visual cue to check in with students who may need extra support.

5. Celebrate Small Wins Publicly and Privately

Recognize effort, kindness, or improvement—aloud in class or in a quick note on their desk. These acknowledgments deepen respect and encourage positive behaviors.

Example: Ms. Rios writes a short note on a sticky that says, “You didn’t give up on your writing today—I’m proud of you.” She quietly places it on a student’s desk before dismissal, and the student smiles as they pack up.

Moving Forward

Relationship-building is not one more thing—it’s the thing that makes everything else work better. Whether you're just starting the year or months into it, it’s never too late to make a student feel seen.

Start with one strategy.

Make it a habit. Notice the change—not just in your students, but in yourself.

Your presence matters. Your words matter. And your relationships with students matter most of all.