Building Relationships Before Content

✨ Hello, Purposeful Educators! ✨

Welcome to Season 2 of the Educate on Purpose Newsletter! We’ve spent a full year sharing strategies, reflections, and conversations that challenge conventional teaching methods—and I’m thrilled start this next chapter.

Think of each newsletter as a new episode in an ongoing series designed to equip and inspire you for the upcoming school year. Let’s get started with Chapter 1 "The First 12 Weeks."

In this first episode of The First 12 Weeks series, we focus on laying the foundation for a successful school year by building relationships, establishing routines, and setting the tone for meaningful learning.

As educators, we often feel the pressure to dive right into content, ensuring that every minute of class time is spent delivering information and covering curriculum standards. However, research consistently shows that “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship” — a quote often attributed to Dr. James Comer. This has been something that has helped shape my teaching philosophy. We must establish trust and rapport with students before meaningful learning can take place.

In these first weeks of school, taking the time to connect with students on a personal level is not a distraction from academic goals—it is the foundation upon which academic success is built. Relationship-building isn't just a "nice-to-have"; it's essential.

Why Relationships Matter

The core of successful teaching is empathy, trust, and connection. When students feel safe, valued, known, and understood, they are more likely to engage, take risks, and persist through challenges. In contrast, when relationships are neglected, students may disengage, struggle to form meaningful connections with the content, and resist asking for help. A strong relationship fosters motivation, which directly influences both student behavior and academic achievement.

Relationship-Building Strategies

Below are strategies to build strong relationships with your students in the first few weeks of school. These are designed to foster connection and mutual respect while creating an environment where students feel seen and valued.

Get to Know Your Students Personally

Before diving into content, spend time getting to know who your students are. This can take many forms:

• Interest Surveys: Have students complete surveys asking about their interests, hobbies, and learning preferences.
• Name Games: Use name games or icebreakers to help everyone learn each other’s names and correct pronunciation in a fun and low-pressure environment.
• Student Interviews: Conduct brief one-on-one conversations where students can share what excites them about the new school year or what challenges they are worried about.
• Call Home: Set aside a few minutes after school to call home. Begin a conversation by asking a simple question "What do you want me to know about your child?" Making the first contact home a positive, curious conversation sets the stage for a successful year.

Establish Classroom Agreements with Student Input

Building relationships also involves creating a sense of shared ownership in the classroom. Students are more likely to follow classroom routines if they feel they’ve had a hand in shaping them.

• Co-Create Classroom Agreements: Ask students to brainstorm what kind of classroom environment will help them succeed. Create a collaborative list of expectations that the entire class agrees to uphold.

Remember 💡Words Create Worlds: Co-creating classroom agreements is not the same as norms or behavior expectations. Agreements establish ownership and are the foundation of a student-centered classroom.

• Routine and Rituals: Introduce daily routines like morning meetings or "check-in" activities that provide consistent opportunities for students to share how they’re feeling or what they need that day.

Check out this awesome explanation of the differences between a safe space and a brave space.

Share Your Story

Just as you are getting to know your students, let them get to know you. Sharing your story—why you became a teacher, what excites you about the new school year, or what hobbies you have outside of school—can humanize you and make you more approachable.

Use Positive Communication

Fostering strong relationships depends on how you communicate with students. Be mindful of the language you use and how it influences student perceptions of themselves and their abilities.

• Growth Mindset Language: Swap "needs improvement" with "not yet" and use affirmations that encourage perseverance, such as "You haven’t mastered this yet, but you’re getting closer each day."
• Empathy Statements: Acknowledge student challenges by saying, "I see you're struggling, but I’m here to help you work through it."
• Validate Emotions: Acknowledge the difficult times, "It is okay to feel frustrated - let's tackle this together."

Build Classroom Culture with Small Wins

Celebrating small successes and milestones in the classroom creates an environment where process and effort are valued over grades. This shift helps cultivate a growth mindset, where students understand that learning is not about perfection but about improvement and perseverance.

• Valuing the Process Over the Grade: When teachers emphasize effort, growth, and the learning journey, students feel empowered to take risks and embrace challenges. Rather than focusing solely on final outcomes or grades, recognizing students' persistence, creativity, and problem-solving skills boosts their confidence and engagement. It shows them that learning is a continuous process, not a fixed measure of their ability at one point in time.
• Incorporate goal-setting into the weekly routine or morning meeting: Encouraging students to set personal learning goals rather than focusing solely on letter grades allows them to track their own progress, making each step forward feel meaningful. Whether it’s improving on a math concept or refining a research skill, students see their ability to grow through consistent effort.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events and Announcements

🗓️ October Events I have some exciting events coming up this month! If you’re attending any of these conferences, I’d love to connect with you in person.

October 5: Rhode Island Science Teachers Association's Annual Conference at the University of Rhode Island

• The Role of Phenomena in Cultivating Equitable Science Classrooms: Focuses on creating inclusive and equitable learning environments through real-world phenomena.

October 16 + 17: MassCUE Fall Conference at Gillette Stadium

• Teachers’ AIde: Using AI as a Co-Planner: Learn how to use AI tools as collaborative planning partners.
• Mission Phenomenal: Empowering Inclusive Science Education through Phenomena-Driven Instruction: Explore the power of using real-world phenomena to engage students in science learning.

October 19: Connecting and Collaborating: Connecticut Science Teachers Association Conference in Glastonbury

• Triangulating Success: A Three-Pronged Approach to Formative Assessment: A session on embedding ongoing formative assessment into content, SEL, and practical measures.
• The Role of Phenomena in Cultivating Equitable Science Classrooms: Focuses on creating inclusive and equitable learning environments through real-world phenomena.

👩💻 Online Professional Development

Check out my self-paced courses, which are free through the end of September

• Introduction to Phenomena-Driven Instruction
• Increase Student Engagement, Decrease Teacher Workload

Check them out here.

What’s Coming Next in Chapter 1?

In the next episode, we’ll look at Setting Routines for Success. We’ll discuss how consistent structures can make your classroom run smoothly while giving students more control over their learning.

💭 Closing Thoughts: As start our journey into this new school year, let’s remind ourselves that meaningful learning begins with meaningful relationships. By taking the time to genuinely know and understand our students, we build a foundation of trust and respect that will not only enhance their learning but also empower them to thrive.

Until next week, keep fostering curiosity, embracing possibilities, and making every interaction count.

✌🏼❤️📚 Bonnie