As a teacher, you already know just how important it is to have strong relationships with your students. 

But what about their parents? 

A recent survey found that educators spend less than an hour a week actively engaging with their students’ parents. It’s easy to understand why. After all, there are only so many hours in the school week, and our main priority tends to shift more toward those with which we spend most of our time—students.

In this guide, we’re going to look at ways that teachers can maintain their strong relationships with students and start building stronger bonds with their parents, too. 

The Transformative Power of Relationships in Education

Building connections within the educational community is incredibly important. It's amazing to see how much of a positive impact it can have when educators, students, and parents work closely together. 

Time and time again, research has shown us that children do better in all areas of their lives when their families are actively involved with their schooling.

Most kids—about 95%—say they're healthier and happier thanks to this involvement. It not only helps them feel good but also sets them up for success in the classroom. Around 62% of students believe having supportive parents makes them feel more confident, which naturally helps them do well academically.

Parents who play an active role contribute to an incredible average attendance rate of 98%. Being present at school consistently plays a huge part in doing well academically over time. 

Moreover, half of high schoolers recognize that strong support from home often means higher grades—clear evidence that young people understand the importance of everyone working together for their education.

Strategies for Building Relationships with Students

Creating a classroom where each student feels like they belong and are supported requires intentional steps. These steps are about building trust, getting to know every student for who they are, and ensuring everyone feels included. 

When these elements come together, it can lead to relationships that really make an impact on students' involvement and success in school. 

Here's what teachers can do:

Building Trust
The groundwork of a trustworthy learning space is set by being consistent and fair. It’s important to be clear about the rules for your class and explain the reasoning behind what you ask of students. 

Keeping communication channels open so that students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts plays a big part as well. Let them know you're listening, which makes them feel secure.

Making Personal Connections
It's not all just grades and test scores! Reaching out beyond academics shows students you care about them personally. Find out what interests your students have outside school work and use questionnaires or discussions to discover their likes, worries, or hopes for the future. 

Regular one-on-one chats show that while academic development matters, so does their overall happiness. Acknowledge each student as unique and encourage more connection with their learning journey.

Inclusive Practices
Start by making sure every student feels recognized. You can do this by bringing a variety of teaching materials into your lessons that reflect different cultures and life experiences. 

This helps everyone see themselves as part of what they're learning. It allows each student to share their own stories and views, making lessons richer for everyone and cultivating an environment where every child knows they matter.

Active Listening
It’s also vital we listen—like, really listen—to what our students have to say. Instead of doing most of the talking or rushing in with answers, take time to hear them out completely before responding. 

When kids know you’re genuinely interested in their thoughts without immediately passing judgment or fixing things for them, they have the confidence to speak up because they know you're truly paying attention.

Feedback and Encouragement
It’s critical that we provide feedback with care. It should guide rather than discourage, pointing towards improvement while recognizing effort. 

Celebrating even small achievements is important as it shows you're paying attention and boosts a learner's confidence, which, in turn, encourages them to keep growing. 

Make your comments personal. Let students know you have noticed their particular journey.

A note about flexibility in interaction: Each student will respond differently—some shine when praised openly, while others prefer quiet recognition. 

Adapting how we communicate our support based on what makes each student feel most comfortable is essential if we want those connections with them to deepen.

Effective Strategies for Parental Involvement

Strengthening ties with parents is key to enriching students' learning experiences. When educators establish reliable ways to communicate and welcome parents into the school's fold, it leads to a nurturing and well-rounded educational atmosphere. 

Here are practical steps for educators looking to connect more deeply with parents:

Effective Communication
Good communication is key to effectively involving parents in the process. Different methods, such as newsletters, emails, or social media platforms dedicated to the school community, are important for keeping everyone updated on student progress and upcoming events. 

Aim for clear and frequent exchanges that are easily digestible; this helps ensure that every parent feels clued in. Also, embracing tools that support back-and-forth dialogue lets parents voice their questions or concerns smoothly.

Parent Involvement
Get parents more involved by creating chances for them to participate in school activities and have a say in decision-making processes. 

Encourage them to join as volunteers, engage with parent-teacher groups, or offer their expertise in committees that oversee school administration matters. 

By taking on roles they become more than onlookers but valuable participants who influence their children's educational paths—enhancing family involvement and fostering a stronger sense of community connection.

Understanding Each Other
When issues or friction crop up, handle these moments with understanding and aim to work together. Choose a private place where you can talk freely, listen to what parents have to say, and tackle challenges as a team. 

Being open about how decisions are made and valuing what parents have to say helps build solid trust.

Learning Together
Invite them to participate in workshops or presentations that give them more tools to help out at home. You could cover things like:

●       Helping with homework effectively

●       Keeping their children safe online

●       Explaining curriculum changes

Sessions like these aren't just useful, they also bring families closer to what’s going on at school.

Personalized Updates
Communication with parents is much easier when it focuses on their child’s progress and success. Customizing updates shows that the school cares about each student as an individual, which in turn helps families feel more connected to what's happening.

Respect Cultural Differences 
Recognizing and honoring various cultural identities within the school community is essential.

This means offering translation services for those who speak other languages at home and understanding different cultural perspectives may influence how we interact. 

Being considerate about these things goes a long way in building trustful relationships between schools and families.

Harnessing Technology to Enhance Educational Relationships

In our world today, where technology is at the center of so much that we do, it's incredible for education too. By tapping into digital tools wisely, we can make the connections between teachers, students, and their families even stronger.

Let's look at some options:

Educational Apps
Think about apps like Remind or ClassDojo. They're great because they let everyone send messages and updates quickly.

●       Benefits: You get information instantly and can access it easily.

●       Challenges: There might be less face-to-face conversation if we lean on these tools too heavily.

Online Portals
Platforms such as Google Classroom are super helpful for sharing homework details, grades, and feedback all in one place.

●       Benefits: Everything educational you need is right there, plus it helps everyone stay open about progress.

●       Challenges: Well, not having the internet could be a problem. And sometimes getting used to new tech takes a little time.

Virtual Meetings
When meeting in person isn't an option, Zoom or Microsoft Teams gives us the next-best experience—especially when sensitive topics need discussing.

●       Benefits: Can connect from pretty much anywhere, which saves time traveling.

●       Challenges: As with any tech, there may occasionally be glitches that affect call quality.

When deciding which technologies will best serve your school community, remember that it's all about what fits your community's needs. Consider how user-friendly these options are and whether they'll work well for every family to truly enhance engagement.

Collaboration is at the Heart of Progress
Creating a nurturing environment in our schools is crucial, and we've touched on some key ways to do this throughout this article. The art of building solid connections with students and their families hinges on good communication, earning trust, and making the most of technology.

As teachers and educators, it's worthwhile to take a step back now and then—look at how we're doing things currently—and see where these new ideas can fit in to bring us closer together as an educational community.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." — Helen Keller

Let's not stop here. Sharing experiences enriches all of us. Come join our conversations online. You'll find McGraw Hill on both Facebook and Instagram. 

It’s a space where you can engage with fellow educators from various backgrounds,  seek advice when you need it, or simply share the moments that come from contributing positively to the future of our students.

Prepare for the New School Year with These Top 5 Tips for Teachers

For educators, when the days start to get shorter and the summer begins to wane, the familiar rhythm of a new school beckons. The stores are full of back-to-school sales, and students are busily gathering supplies and textbooks.

During these precious few weeks before the academic year starts anew, teachers can often experience a wide range of emotions, from anticipation to enthusiasm (and sometimes a hint of trepidation).

The return to school can be a time of duality. It is a transition and a fresh opportunity to redefine your teaching practices and prepare once again for student interactions.

It’s a time to reflect on what approaches and strategies you will use, to focus on fostering innovative and emotionally intelligent classrooms, and get to know your new students.
 
In this guide, we’ll look at five tips to help you prepare mentally to kick off the new academic year and excel in the classroom.

1. Cultivate a Culture of Curiosity

Students of all ages are naturally curious, and our rigid learning structures—often more like frameworks than lessons—prevent that curiosity from flourishing in the classroom.

When students are encouraged to ask “why,” they engage better with the material, seek connections, and, most importantly, develop a genuine passion for raw discovery.

This kind of vibrant engagement enhances academic outcomes but also prepares and encourages students to pursue a lifetime of questioning and learning.

Here’s how to foster a curiosity-driven classroom:

Encourage Open-Ended Questions

Devise questions with several answers or require some more thought beyond the readily obvious response. 
Doing this allows students to explore subjects in more depth and gain perspectives from multiple angles, essentially applying what they have learned in a real-world context.

Get Students to Explain Their Thinking

Often referred to as the 3 Whys technique, this involves asking a student to explain their reasoning. 
After the explanation, ask the student, “Why?” again to encourage even deeper thought processes, then repeat the process one more time.

The method encourages critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the material.

Use Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Designing material in the form of projects that are relevant to student’s lives and interests allows them to explore subjects in depth and from multiple angles.

Using PBL in your curriculum unleashes a sort of creative energy among students, particularly as the subjects resonate with real-world applications. As a result, students develop both subject material knowledge and the ability to approach problems with a critical thinking mindset.

2. Embrace the Technological Shift to Generative AI

As educators, we’re already well aware of the impacts of changing and rapidly progressing technology on students and their learning.

Here, it’s no longer about keeping up with the pace, but rather, meeting students halfway in particular with generative AI tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Whether we support its use or not, close to a quarter of K-12 students are already using generative AI at the very least to assist with homework, all the way up to writing entire essays with it.

Don’t Dismiss AI

Rather than decrying its use in the classroom, it’s now become more important to actually begin becoming familiar with the technology itself.

This of course means trialing the platforms to write material yourself and becoming accustomed to the kinds of common words and styles it uses.

Know Your Students’ Tone of Voice

Teachers should also become more aware of the individual writing styles of their students. If there are any sudden increases in quality or drastic changes in tone of voice, it might be an indicator that generative AI is in use.

Train in AI Detection

Before the start of the academic year, become familiar with free AI detection platforms such as CopyLeaks and ZeroGPT, and be prepared to have a discussion with other teachers regarding their approach to AI in the classroom.

Take AI detection scores with a grain of salt, as false positives are common, especially for non-native English speakers, and punishing students for the incorrect result isn’t fair. All the more reason to get acquainted with your student’s writing styles.

3. Get to Know Your Students

At the heart of a fulfilling educational experience lies a teacher's ability to recognize and appreciate each student’s individuality.

As we embark on another academic year, it is essential for teachers to cultivate personal connections with their students—connections that can profoundly influence both their learning journey and personal growth.

To build these important relationships with your students:

Make an Effort with Names

Dedicate yourself to learning names quickly and pronouncing them correctly. This simple act shows respect and care, making each student feel seen.

Understand Their Histories

Take time to review any available records that shed light on a student’s past achievements as well as challenges they may face. This knowledge allows you to tailor your support effectively.

Assess Early On

Employ initial assessments in those first weeks to understand academic levels and for insight into how each child best learns, helping you adapt your teaching accordingly.

4. Prioritize Self-Care and Resilience

A big part of your role is the well-being of your students. Remember that your health is also important for your effectiveness in the classroom.

Effective strategies for ensuring you’re well looked after include:

Make Plans for Relaxation

Use these remaining weeks before the school year begins to relax and recharge. This can be through hobbies, travel, or just plain old resting. This ensures you’re ready to meet your new students with a fresh mindset and renewed vigor.

This includes incorporating some fun into your routine, making time for activities that bring you joy, and really allowing yourself to unwind. Remember to keep a light-hearted approach to daily life, and cherish the moments you had during the summer.

Develop Time Management Skills

Maybe you set your alarm clock a bit later over the summer and enjoyed some time sleeping in. Maybe you stayed up a bit past midnight, well, because you can.

Before the academic year begins, it’s time to start organizing tasks efficiently with planners and digital tools to avoid feeling overwhelmed when you start.

Build a Support Network

The great thing about being a teacher is that you’re never alone, there are hundreds of colleagues out there with which you can find support.

Establish relationships with fellow educators, not just at your school, but by reaching out to professionals across the country, and even across the globe.

The support is invaluable, and the diversity in the lived experience of others brings a whole perspective to what you do, and even how you teach.

5. Embrace New Beginnings

One thing that is very important to understand as a teacher is this:

Last year is not this year.

Every new academic year brings a fresh slate. It’s an opportunity to improve, innovate, and inspire. Not just for yourself, but your new students too.

No two school years are ever the same. Recognizing this allows educators to approach the new year with open arms, a renewed sense of possibility, and flexibility.

To make the most of this new beginning:

Reflect on What Worked in the Past

Yes this is a new year, but don’t forget the lessons of last year, in particular the approaches that worked. Review and refine what worked, and ditch the methods that didn’t.

Create Brand New Actionable Goals

It’s a new beginning, so time to set some new goals, only these should be able to be acted upon. 
Identify specific objectives for both your professional development and the development of your student’s progress. Once set, they will help keep your class on track throughout the year.

Regularly Seek Feedback

Ask for input from colleagues, parents, and even your students. Their feedback and constructive criticism provide new perspectives and ideas that will, in the long run, enhance your teaching practices and learning environment.

Closing Thoughts: A Fresh Start to a Promising Year

As we prepare for a new academic year, let's welcome the chance to grow and get better.

Whether it's sparking curiosity in our classrooms, using technology that meets students' unique needs, nurturing emotional smarts, working together more, or taking care of ourselves, each step can enrich our teaching and help our students learn.

We're hopeful about what lies ahead and are dedicated to bringing these powerful strategies into our schools.

Try out these ideas with your own twist on them, and see how they open up exciting possibilities for both you and your students.

At McGraw Hill, we would love for you to be part of the conversation with other teachers like yourself. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram where you can share insights, ask for advice when needed, and celebrate all wins big or small along your teaching journey.