Why Prioritizing Relationships Before Rigor is the Key to Student Success

Why Prioritizing Relationships Before Rigor is the Key to Student Success

Education today is often characterized by the quest for rigor. Teachers strive to challenge their students to meet increasingly higher academic standards in an effort to produce better results. It is easy to understand why educators would want to prioritize rigor in the classroom. By focusing on academic rigor, teachers ensure that students are prepared to tackle challenging tasks and achieve better results.

However, there is another side to education, one that is often overlooked in the pursuit of academic rigor: relationships. The importance of relationships in education cannot be overstated. Establishing strong relationships with students is the key to unlocking their potential and ensuring that they achieve their full potential.

The Problem with Solely Focusing on Rigor

Rigor is undoubtedly important in education. However, when teachers prioritize rigor over relationships, problems can arise. Students who feel disconnected from their teachers and peers are less likely to be engaged in the classroom. They may be less motivated to put in the effort required to meet rigorous academic standards, leading to lower academic performance.

Furthermore, a rigid focus on rigor can lead to negative outcomes. When teachers only focus on academic performance, students may begin to feel like mere performance indicators. This can reduce their sense of intrinsic motivation, which is essential for success in academic and personal endeavors.

The Relationship Between Relationships and Student Success

On the other hand, when teachers prioritize relationships with their students, a number of positive outcomes can occur. Students who feel a sense of connectedness and caring from their teachers are more likely to be engaged in the classroom. They may be more motivated to put in the effort required to meet rigorous academic standards and achieve better performance.

Moreover, relationship-centered teaching methodologies can lead to students taking more responsibility for their own learning. As students feel a greater sense of ownership and agency over their own education, they may be more inspired to engage in their own learning process. This can lead to better academic performance, as well as greater personal and professional success.

Emphasizing Relationships in the Classroom

So, what can teachers do to emphasize relationships in their classroom? Firstly, by providing a safe, supportive learning environment, teachers can help students feel connect to their peers and their instructors. This can include creating classroom norms that promote kindness, understanding, and respect.

Secondly, teachers can develop a student-centered approach to teaching. Instead of focusing exclusively on teaching, they can emphasize helping students learn. This can mean accommodating different learning styles and focusing on student interests and needs. By taking a more student-centered approach, teachers can help inspire students to take ownership of their own learning and develop a sense of agency over their education.

Finally, teachers can develop a culture of collaboration in their classroom, encouraging students to work together and share ideas. This helps students develop critical collaboration and communication skills, which are essential for academic and professional success .

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, prioritizing relationships over rigor is essential for student success. By emphasizing the importance of relationships in education, teachers can help students reach their full potential. Whether by creating a supportive learning environment, taking a student-centered approach to teaching, or developing a culture of collaboration, teachers can help students achieve academic, personal, and professional success.