Ninth grader Lauren Wilson visits her eighth grade adviser, Thomas Toney every couple of days per week. Sitting on his comfy black chair, Mr. Toney welcomes Lauren in with a fist bump and a wide smile. As Lauren talks, Mr. Toney gives her his complete undivided attention and a natural conversation sparks.
Lauren isn’t the only one who has this kind of relationship. Lots of students develop strong bonds with certain teachers throughout middle school and high school through clubs and personal conversation, and maintain those relationships especially when they go on to other grades.
According to studies done by the American Psychological Association and The National Institutes of Health these relationships are beneficial for students and teachers alike.
For lots of students, an interest in a subject can spur engagement with a teacher, encouraging conversation.
“If you like the subject I think it’s much easier to like your teachers,” sophomore Dalia Sancristobal said.
Stronger relationships can also be formed through constant engagement through clubs, where a student can engage in conversations with a teacher about things other than schoolwork.
Senior Keira Harter has a strong relationship with her science teachers, Daniel Calleri and Elizabeth Hubin.
“I feel more comfortable talking to them about my interests outside my straight classwork,” Keira said. “I feel like they remember things about me that other teachers probably wouldn’t, so I feel more comfortable telling them about things.”
Through engagement, students build personal relationships where they consider teachers as trusted adults and someone they can go to when they need help.
“I believe that they understand me, and what I would personally need to do in a situation and what I need to get out of a situation,” Keira said.
As students form strong relationships with teachers, they also maintain and strengthen their respect for them.
“I think even though your relationship with your teachers is professional, you don’t have to be super serious all the time,” Dalia said. “But it’s still understood that your teacher is an authoritarian figure.”
Some students have stronger relationships with teachers who listen to them and are happy to see them.
Sophomore Nanak Ofori-Mante had Mr. Toney as an eighth grade community service teacher and like Lauren continues to visit him to chat. She, like other students, refers to Mr. Toney by his first name.
“Mr. Thomas is kind and easy to connect with and he usually asks me questions about my day and listens to me,” Nanak said.
Mr. Toney creates a relaxed environment for the students who come to visit him.
“Mr. Thomas is very straightforward and real in conversations,” Lauren said, “so it’s easier to talk to him because I know he’ll have a genuine response.”
