Engage Students By Getting To Know Them

What it is:

Engaging your students by getting to know them means building genuine relationships that foster trust, connection, and a sense of belonging in the classroom. It involves learning about their interests, backgrounds, learning styles, strengths, and challenges. This understanding allows you to tailor your instruction, interactions, and classroom environment in ways that are relevant and meaningful to each student. When students feel seen and valued as individuals, they are more likely to participate actively, take risks in their learning, and invest in the classroom community. Ultimately, getting to know your students is a foundational step toward creating a supportive and engaging learning experience for all. The benefits of getting to know your students are the following:

• Builds trust and rapport: When students feel seen and valued, they are more likely to engage and take risks in learning.
  
  

• Informs instruction: Knowing students helps teachers tailor lessons, choose relevant examples, and design activities that resonate.
  
  

• Supports classroom management: Understanding students' motivations and challenges can help prevent issues and de-escalate conflicts.
  
  

• Promotes equity and inclusion: Recognizing each student's unique identity ensures all voices are honored, helping every student feel they belong.
  
  

• Fosters motivation: Students are more invested when they feel their teacher genuinely cares about them.

Why it is important:

Getting to know your students creates a learning environment where students feel safe, respected, and motivated. When students sense that their teacher genuinely understands and cares about them, they are more likely to participate, ask questions, and take academic risks. This personal connection helps you design lessons that tap into their interests, cultural backgrounds, and individual needs, making the learning more relevant and accessible. It also allows for more effective classroom management, as mutual respect reduces behavioral issues and increases cooperation. In short, relationships are the gateway to engagement—students learn best when they feel connected.

In short, getting to know your students is the foundation for a positive, productive, and meaningful classroom environment.

How to use it:

1. Greeting at the door: A personal hello each day shows students you notice and care about them right away.

2. Interest surveys or "About Me" forms: Early in the year (or even midyear), have students share favorites, hobbies, family info, and goals. Keep them and revisit them!

3. Morning meetings or check-ins: A quick share-out, question of the day, or emotional "temperature check" helps build a safe and connected community.

4. Use "get-to-know-you" activities: Icebreakers, "Would You Rather" games, Two Truths and a Lie, or scavenger hunts get students talking and bonding.

5. Incorporate interests into lessons: Mention a student’s favorite sports team, music artist, or hobby during examples — it shows you're paying attention.

6. One-on-one conversations: Take a few minutes during work time, recess, or dismissal to chat casually with students. Relationships are built in small moments.

7. Celebrate student achievements and milestones: Birthdays, sports wins, art shows, or personal accomplishments — even a quick shoutout means a lot.

8. Family connections: Communicating with families (through notes, calls, or conferences) often gives important insights into a student’s life and culture.

9. Observation: Sometimes just quietly noticing how students interact — who is shy, who loves to help, who struggles with focus — can tell you a lot.

10. Student-led choices: Let students pick project topics, books, or roles when possible. You’ll learn about their passions and strengths naturally.