Picture this: You’re standing in front of a room full of people, ready to impart your wisdom to the next generation of industry experts… but something feels off. The energy is flat. People are looking down at their phones, intrigued by the funny dog video their friend sent them. As you look around, everyone looks like they’d rather be anywhere else.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. This was exactly how I felt on my first day as a new trainer! Hello students! Excuse me while I die of embarrassment!
The Secret sauce to turning things around isn’t some magical teaching trick or the perfect lesson plan. It turns out it’s building relationships. Learning to communicate with your students and build those strong connections with them. Making the classroom a lively, collaborative space where everyone feels valued and motivated to succeed.
Seems impossible, right? Wrong. I believe you are absolutely capable of engaging your students in each and every class. Let’s explore a few key ways to build meaningful relationships with your students, why these connections matter, and how small changes can lead to big improvements. Let’s dig in!
Show Students That You Care (It’s All About the Little Things)
Think back to when someone remembered a small detail about you – your coffee order… a food you like… your dog’s name… It felt good, right? That’s how your students feel when you take the time to learn about them. Now… think about how you can take that little piece of magic and multiply it among your students!
⚖️ Start each day with a quick check-in
I start each of my classes with a quiz warm up, giving my students the opportunity to get into class mode with some fun pub-style questions. I enjoy using digital tools like Wordwall and Kahoot to engage them – it gives them an opportunity to take 10 minutes to get settled while playing along with the class. As I play these games, I learn a little about my students. I use these activities to ask them about their favourite hobbies, the things they have done on the weekend and what’s happening in their lives.
“How was your soccer game last night, Mia?”
“Did anyone watch that crazy storm over the weekend?”
“I heard it’s someone’s birthday today – who’s celebrating?”
By remembering their hobbies, favourite activities, or even what they’re struggling with, I can create an environment where my students feel valued. And it’s these little moments that build trust and make students more likely to engage in your class.
Before you panic, you don’t have to have an amazing memory! I am terrible at names and keeping track of the minutia of daily life… but we live in a digital age! I use a simple Notion template to keep track of my students and what’s happening with them. I am not even ashamed to admit that I check it regularly and add little reminders for myself, and you shouldn’t either!
Why? Because I want my students to feel connected to me, and you should too! Especially when they may not get the one-on-one time they would if I were an on-campus trainer. As a digital trainer and assessor with class sizes of 20+, I often don’t get to experience the same visual reactions from my students – the head nodding and the little sentences of comprehension – as digital classroom etiquette calls for predominantly muted participants.
So, keep a small notebook or digital file with notes about each student. It’s a lifesaver for remembering details and following up later.
💬 Discussion Starter: What’s one way you make your students feel seen and heard? Share your tips in the comments!
⚽ There’s a sports metaphor in here somewhere
A colleague shared a heart-warming story about how she managed to connect with a particularly shy student in her class – a young boy who rarely spoke up and seemed hesitant to engage with their classmates. During a casual conversation, she learned that he loved soccer and played on a local team. She saw this as an opportunity to build rapport and so she made a conscious effort to ask him about his weekend games every Monday morning.
She’d start with simple, open-ended questions like, “How did your game go this weekend?” or “What position did you play?” At first, his responses were short, limited to a few words. But… she noticed a spark in his eyes every time he talked about his team or a goal he had scored.
Over time, these small, consistent interactions began to make a difference. She started weaving soccer into her lessons, using examples from the sport to explain concepts like statistics and teamwork strategies.
One day, during a group activity, she overheard the boy explaining something to his classmates using a soccer analogy – and when she told me, you could see the joy spread across her face. It was the first time she had seen him confidently contribute to a discussion, and it was clear that he felt more at ease and comfortable around his classmates. As the weeks went on, his participation in class became more frequent, and he began to share his thoughts and ideas with greater enthusiasm.
She not only helped him feel seen and valued but demonstrated how a small gesture of connection could transform a student’s experience in the classroom.
Try a “Getting to Know You” activity at the beginning of the year. Create a simple survey asking about hobbies, favourite books, or dream jobs. Then, reference these details in conversations or lessons—it shows you care!
💬 What are some creative ways you show interest in your students’ lives? Share your ideas below!
Make Your Classroom a Second Home
Did you know that there are some people who walk into a room and just don’t feel welcome? It’s something I have experienced so often in my adult life that I can no longer count the times on my fingers. Perhaps that’s just me though…
No! It turns out that’s how some students feel if they don’t see themselves represented or heard in the classroom. Your mission as an educator? To help change that narrative.
⚖️ Here’s 3 ways you can create a Safe & Inclusive Space from Day 1
- Set Ground Rules Together: Like a game of Dungeon’s and Dragons with a new group, your training group might not know each other very well. And… just like in D&D, it’s important to have a session 0. What does this mean for everyone who’s not a D&D nerd? It means that on day one set the expectations of behaviour in the classroom as a group… especially where training is delivered through online mediums. Talk about rules that promote kindness, respect, and inclusion within the cohort. Encourage students to ask questions and then when they do, take the time to have a discussion about it.
- Celebrate Diversity: Celebrate the Diversity of your cohort and incorporate activities that showcase different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. A “Cultural Show-and-Tell” day, for example, lets students share traditions, foods, or family stories.
- Respond to Issues Quickly: If a student feels excluded or faces bullying, address it immediately. Let students know you’re their ally. A safe classroom fosters creativity and confidence. When students feel accepted, they’re more willing to share ideas, ask questions, and even make mistakes—because they know they won’t be judged.
💬 How do you make your classroom inclusive and welcoming? Let’s inspire each other in the comments!
Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment
Imagine walking into a room where you feel out of place—how would you react? Students need to feel they belong, no matter their background or abilities. A safe, inclusive environment helps them thrive.
One ex-teacher friend shared with me how she set up a “Kindness Wall” in her classroom. Students could write anonymous notes praising or thanking their classmates. Over time, this activity helped build a positive culture and encouraged shy students to participate more openly.
I like to make sure to include activities that celebrate the diversity in my class, like “Cinco de Mayo,” where students share traditions or foods from their heritage. I think it’s a great way to teach respect and foster inclusion.
Be Consistent and Fair
Consistency builds trust. Think of it like being a referee—you need to apply the rules evenly to all players. When students see you’re fair, they respect you more.
One trainer recounted how she created a “Classroom Agreement” with her students at the start of the year. Together, they outlined rules and consequences, making everyone feel involved and accountable.
Avoid showing favouritism, even unintentionally. For example, if one student gets an extra day to finish an assignment due to illness, extend the same courtesy to others in similar situations.
💬 How do you stay consistent and fair while managing a classroom? Share your tips with me!
Use Encouragement (It’s Free, and It Works!)
Everyone loves to be praised for their efforts, and students are no exception. Positive reinforcement can be a game-changer in building relationships and boosting morale.
🌟 A fellow trainer shared how he started a “Star of the Week” tradition. Each week, a student was recognised for their efforts, like helping a classmate or showing improvement in a subject. Consider starting a “Student of the Week” board where classmates can write something positive about the featured student. The smiles? Priceless.
⚖️ Sprinkle encouragement throughout the session
Not sure what that sounds like? Consider these easy prompts!
- Praise effort, not just results
- I love how hard you worked on that math problem, even though it was tricky!
- It was great to see Jodie, Uma and Jose’ listening to each others ideas to come up with a solution that worked!
- I can see how much time you spent perfecting your art project, Priya—amazing dedication!
- You really pushed through the challenge in that science experiment, Amir. Way to go!
- I admire the creative way you brainstormed ideas during group work, Mei.
- You didn’t give up when that problem got tough, Kwame, and it paid off!
- The focus you had while writing your essay was so impressive, Sofia.
- Thank you for being so thorough with your research on this topic, Ahmed.
- You worked so patiently through those coding errors, Janelle—great persistence!
- Even though it didn’t turn out how you hoped, Haruto, I’m so proud of how hard you tried.
- I loved seeing you ask thoughtful questions to improve your understanding, Lucia.
- It’s amazing how you stayed calm and kept trying, even when things got frustrating, Elias.
- Celebrate the small victories
- Great job remembering to raise your hand today, Liam!
- You should be so proud that you’ve passed another unit.
- Great job organising your desk before starting class today, Abdul!
- You remembered to write your name on your paper—awesome attention to detail, Nia!
- You were so kind in helping your partner during group activity, Hugo.
- Well done for completing your assignment on time this week, Zainab!
- I noticed you stayed focused for the entire lesson—nice work, Carlos!
- Excellent effort in contributing your idea during our class discussion, Ayana.
- I saw you try something new during PE today, Aisha—way to be brave!
- Great job remembering to bring your materials to class every day this week, Arjun.
- You did a fantastic job pronouncing that tricky word in reading today, Leila.
- I noticed you smiling more during group work—way to stay positive, Mateo!
- Acknowledge growth
- Your reading skills have improved so much since the start of the term. Keep it up!
- Look at you doing math on the fly! You must be so proud at how much your math skills have grown since the start of the course.
- You’ve gotten so much better at expressing your thoughts in writing, Maria. Well done!
- Your confidence during presentations has grown so much, Tariq – keep it up!
- I can see you’ve been practicing your handwriting, Zahra – it’s so much neater now.
- You’re really starting to grasp these new math concepts, and it’s paying off, Omar!
- Your teamwork skills have grown so much—I love seeing you collaborate, Hana.
- Remember when you struggled with spelling? Look at you now, Noah – amazing progress!
- Your ability to manage your time has improved so much – great job staying on track, Sienna.
- You’ve become such a great problem-solver, Jamal. I’m proud of your growth!
- Look at how much your drawing skills have improved since the start of the term, Wei!
- Your ability to stay focused during independent work has really impressed me lately, Fatima.
These moments show students that you see their progress, and it motivates them to keep trying.
🎗 Remember to use your Student’s name often! It shows them that you’ve taken the time to learn their name, which is critically important when delivering to large class sizes.
💬 What’s your favourite way to encourage students? Drop your ideas below!
Be Approachable and Available
Have you ever felt too intimidated to ask for help? Students might feel the same way, especially if they’re struggling. Showing you’re approachable can make all the difference. Encourage your students to reach out to you with their questions about class and take the time to respond to them with empathy and kindness.
💡 Create a Question Jar
Encourage your students to speak up by making it easy for them to ask questions or raise concerns without fear of judgement. A great tip that I’ve adapted for the digital age of training is the Questions Jar. I heard about a teacher that had a physical “Question Jar” outside her office where students could anonymously submit questions or concerns… I’ve updated this idea for the Digital Age.
💡 I’ve created an anonymous form for students to complete where they can ask any question or raise any concerns. I share it on the bottom of my emails to my students and then address anything that comes up.
By being available and open to questions, it helps my students share what they are feeling and open up to me – creating better learning outcomes for everyone.
Tip: Consider holding weekly “Office Hours” where students can drop by for extra help or just to chat. A simple “How’s your day going?” during these sessions can start meaningful conversations.
💬 What strategies have helped you become more approachable to your students? Share your stories below!
Why Relationships Matter
Strong relationships go beyond the classroom. They help students feel confident, capable, and supported, which can impact their academic and personal lives. It can feel really incredible to have a student, years later, reach out to thank you for being the first person to believe in their potential.
⏱️ The time and effort you invest in building connections aren’t just about better grades…
It’s about shaping the future of the people you are teaching. The recognition inspired students to support one another and try their best.
If you are an on-campus trainer, consider keeping a small stash of “thank you” notes or stickers to give out when students do something great. Even verbal praise, like “I’m proud of how hard you worked on this,” can be the reason a student enjoys their class with you.
💬 What’s your favourite way to use positive reinforcement? Let’s share ideas that inspire!
Share with me: How do you build relationships when teaching someone?
What about you? How do you build relationships with your students? Have you tried something that worked wonders—or maybe stumbled upon a lesson the hard way?
Share your experiences in the comments! Whether you’re a veteran teacher or just starting, your tips can inspire others to create classrooms where students feel seen, supported, and ready to thrive.
Till next time.