Learning Support ServicesAustin Independent School District

Fall 2014

Building Positive

RelationshipsThe Foundation to

Addressing Student Behavior

Goals

• Distinguish types of teacher behaviors

• Identify barriers to building relationships

• Select relationship building strategies to incorporate into your daily teaching practice

For some students, displaying concern outside of school is a significant factor influencing motivation and achievement (Jones & Jones, 2007)

Positive Relationships with teachers appear to be a factor that prevents high-risk students from being retained or referred for special education. (Pianta, Steinberg, & Rollins, 1995)

Positive relationships are the foundation of effective classroom management. (Marzan, Marzano, & Pickering, 2003)

Why Are Relationships Important?

What barriers to building relationships are you likely to encounter?

Barriers

Building Positive Relationships

• Provides non-contingent positive attention• Ongoing throughout the school year• Promotes positive adult/student relationships• Improves overall system functioning• Increases opportunity for instruction

Intentional Unintentional Unintentional

Teacher Behaviors

Disinviting Inviting

Intentional

Inviting School Success, Purkey & Novak, 1984

Behaviors or comments intended to be degrading, derogatory or sarcastic

Intentionally Disinviting

Behaviors or comments that may cause unintentional strains on a student/teacher relationship

Unintentionally Disinviting

Behaviors and comments that are inherently positive

Unintentionally Inviting

Behaviors and comments targeted to let students know that they are valued

Intentionally Inviting

Relationship Building StrategiesSmile– A little gesture that does a lot to make someone feel

welcome

Positive Contact– Identify student(s) doing something “right”– Can help with more difficult conversations later

Greet students by name daily as they arrive. – sets positive tone– has been proven to increase student time-on-task

Relationship Building Strategies3:1 Ratio ‒ Pay attention to appropriate behaviors 3 times as often as

you respond to negative behaviors‒ Both positive and negative interactions can be verbal or

nonverbal‒ Post a 3:1 reminder in your classroom

2x10 Method– 2 uninterrupted minutes each day, 10 consecutive days– Talk about your interests, ask questions, share stories.– Refrain from talking about school, academics, behavior

John Thomswww.johnwthoms.com/integrity

512-731-9497thomsjohn@hotmail.com