Why Relationships Should Come Before Rigor in Education
As modern education continues to evolve, increasingly more attention is being placed on student outcomes, standardized testing, and curriculum development. While these aspects of education are undoubtedly essential, they seem to have shifted the focus from the student-teacher relationship that is the cornerstone of effective learning.
Relationships in education are becoming more important than ever. This article explores the reasons why relationships between teachers and students should come before rigor in education and how to strike a balance between both.
The Importance of Relationships in Education
Students are more likely to thrive in an environment where they are valued, heard, and understood. Establishing positive relationships between teachers and students create a supportive learning environment that can yield positive results in students’ academic and personal growth.
A strong student-teacher relationship brings many benefits. Teachers who take the time to get to know their students fully, understand their interests, their strengths and weaknesses, and their needs. This understanding enables them to create tailored and more effective learning programs for each student.
Moreover, positive relationships can help students develop healthy social and emotional skills. Students who feel respected, valued, and cared for by their teachers are more likely to feel positive about themselves and others, which ultimately leads to better academic performance.
Putting Relationships First Does not Mean Sacrificing Rigor
While building strong relationships is very important in education, it shouldn’t come at the expense of academic rigor. Students need to learn and achieve high standards, and teachers must prepare students for the real world, which is challenging and demanding. Therefore, educators must strike a balance between relationships and rigor.
One way to achieve this balance is by personalizing learning. Personalized learning involves understanding a student’s learning style and needs and tailoring the educational experience around them. This approach ensures that educators can challenge students while still providing needed support to ensure their success.
Another approach is to incorporate rigorous learning in activities that are fun and engaging for students. For instance, group activities, games, competitions, and team projects can provide a fun and enjoyable way of learning tough subjects and tasks.
Conclusion
The student-teacher relationship is a crucial element for successful education. Building healthy, positive relationships between teachers and students creates an environment where academic and personal growth becomes possible. While rigor is significant, it should never come at the expense of the student-teacher relationship. Striking the right balance between rigor and relationships ensures that students can achieve high standards while also developing essential social and emotional skills. By putting relationships first, we create a brighter future for our students, with endless possibilities for growth and development.
