This article is featured in the January 2024 issue of Horizons, SISD's magazine.
Q: Although this is your first year as a teacher in Sunnyvale, how long have you been a teacher and where have you worked?
A: This is year 17 of teaching for me! I’ve worked in Houston ISD and Dallas ISD.
Q: What does it mean to create rapport in the classroom?
A: Creating rapport means cultivating an environment where students feel safe enough to be themselves and comfortable enough to take risks and make mistakes.
Q:What techniques do you use to create rapport with your students in your classroom?
I make it a priority to get to know my students personally and academically. I need to understand how they learn best, and it is equally important to know their likes, interests, and dislikes.
Q: How important is it to have a strong rapport between teacher and students?
Having a strong rapport with students is a must if you want to have a healthy and positive learning environment. Students learn best when they know their teacher cares.
Q: How do you balance rapport and boundaries in this setting?
Rapport and boundaries go hand in hand. One doesn’t exist without the other. Without boundaries, the rapport will be negatively affected. My expectations for students are explicitly communicated daily. However, I always give grace, empathy, and forgiveness when mistakes are made. This provides balance for the students and myself, as I will also make mistakes.
Q: How can parents help you foster this healthy environment?
Effective parent-teacher communication is vital to the learning environment. One of the reasons I am to create rapport is through the conversations I have with parents. Parents give me critical insight into the students' personalities. Attending parent conferences and discussing concerns all contribute to a healthy environment.