The Power of Relationships in Schools

Edutopia

14 Jan 201903:40

Summary

TLDRThe video emphasizes the importance of strong relationships in education. Teachers and experts discuss how close, trusting relationships release oxytocin, positively impacting brain development and learning. Teachers share their experiences of building connections with students through morning greetings, understanding their values, and showing vulnerability. They highlight how these bonds improve students' academic performance and emotional well-being. The script showcases the significant role of emotional connection in fostering a positive learning environment.

Takeaways

😔 Aiden expresses feeling tired, indicating a potential emotional or physical strain.
🤝 Dr. Darling-Hammond emphasizes the importance of strong relationships in the learning process, suggesting that these connections are crucial for educational success.
🧠 Dr. Cantor explains that oxytocin, released during experiences of closeness and trust, has positive effects on brain development, highlighting the biological basis for the importance of relationships in education.
👋 Falon uses morning greetings as a way to connect with students, emphasizing the human aspect of teaching and the role of building relationships.
💬 Catherine prioritizes relationship building to get to know her students, underlining the value of understanding students on a personal level.
🌐 Salma discusses the importance of teachers understanding students' values and community, showing that education extends beyond the classroom.
🏫 Kirsten values making connections with students over administrative tasks, demonstrating that emotional support can be more impactful than academic tasks.
🎨 Lindsey emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency with students, suggesting that vulnerability can strengthen the teacher-student relationship.
🤔 Aiden's academic performance is influenced by his relationship with the teacher, showing that personal connections can affect learning outcomes.
💡 Cassidy suggests that comfort and confidence in the teacher-student relationship can facilitate better learning, indicating the importance of a supportive educational environment.
🌟 Lindsey connects emotion and learning, stating that a positive emotional state can open up opportunities for more learning, reinforcing the idea that emotional well-being is integral to academic success.

Q & A

What does Dr. Darling-Hammond emphasize as central to the learning process?
-Dr. Darling-Hammond emphasizes that strong relationships are central to the learning process and that learning environments should allow for long-term relationships for children to become attached to school, the adults, and other children in it.
What does the science of learning and development suggest about the importance of relationships in education?
-The science of learning and development suggests that creating environments that foster strong, long-term relationships is crucial for children's attachment to school and their overall development.
What hormone is released when children experience closeness, consistency, and trust, and what are its effects on brain development?
-Oxytocin is released when children experience closeness, consistency, and trust. Oxytocin has many positive effects on the development of the brain, promoting a sense of attunement and trust.
How does Falon describe the purpose of the morning greeting with students?
-Falon describes the purpose of the morning greeting as a way to connect with students and see them as humans, establishing a relationship and bond with them.
Why does Catherine prioritize relationship building with her students?
-Catherine prioritizes relationship building because getting to know her students is the best part of her job, and it helps in creating a caring and respectful environment.
What does Salma say about the teacher's efforts to understand her values and community?
-Salma mentions that the teacher is trying to understand who she is and her values as a person, as well as engaging in discussions about things happening in their community.
How does Kirsten justify spending time making connections with students instead of grading?
-Kirsten believes that making connections, whether through a smile, a joke, or a reminder, validates the students' presence in the building and is more beneficial than just focusing on grading.
What does Lindsey suggest about the connection between emotion and learning?
-Lindsey suggests that emotion and learning are completely connected, and being in a positive emotional space, feeling good about oneself and the teacher, opens up opportunities for more learning.
How does Aiden describe the impact of his relationship with a teacher on his academic performance?
-Aiden explains that when he likes the teacher, he is more motivated to do their work and believes he can learn the material, whereas with teachers he doesn't get along with, he may feel discouraged and avoid doing the work.
What does Bobby suggest about the relationship between a student knowing the teacher cares and their academic performance?
-Bobby suggests that when a student knows the teacher cares about them and sees the teacher as a human, their academic performance in that teacher's class is likely to be better.
How does Cassidy describe the effect of feeling comfortable around students on her confidence and ability to ask questions?
-Cassidy describes that feeling comfortable around students makes her more confident, which in turn makes it easier for her to ask questions and engage in a more open dialogue.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 The Importance of Strong Relationships in Learning

The script emphasizes the significance of establishing strong, long-term relationships in the educational process. Dr. Darling-Hammond highlights the necessity of creating environments that foster attachment to school and its community. Dr. Cantor explains the role of oxytocin, a hormone released during experiences of closeness, consistency, and trust, which positively impacts brain development. Teachers share their strategies for building rapport, such as morning greetings, personal conversations, and showing genuine care for students, which are crucial for a child's academic performance and emotional well-being.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Learning Environment

A learning environment refers to the setting or context in which learning takes place. In the video, Dr. Darling-Hammond emphasizes the importance of creating learning environments that foster strong, long-term relationships. This is crucial for children to become attached to school and the people within it, which in turn enhances their learning experience. The concept is central to the video's theme of the role of relationships in education.

💡Relationship Building

Relationship building is the process of developing and maintaining positive connections with others. In the script, Catherine and Salma discuss the importance of this in the classroom, highlighting how it helps in creating a caring and respectful atmosphere. The video suggests that strong relationships are not just about being nice to children but involve attunement and trust, which are essential for effective learning.

💡Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a significant role in social bonding and trust. Dr. Cantor explains in the video that when children experience closeness, consistency, and trust, oxytocin is released, which has positive effects on brain development. This hormone is a key factor in the video's discussion on how relationships in the classroom can enhance learning.

💡Attunement

Attunement in the context of the video refers to the alignment or synchronization between a teacher and a student, which is crucial for building trust. Dr. Cantor mentions that a child needs to have an experience of attunement and trust to release oxytocin, illustrating the importance of emotional connection in the learning process.

💡Caring and Respect

Caring and respect are values that are being built in the classroom, as mentioned by Catherine. These values are integral to the video's theme of creating a supportive learning environment. They are part of the foundation that helps in developing strong relationships between teachers and students, which is essential for effective education.

💡Human Connection

Human connection is a central theme in the video, where teachers like Falon and Kirsten emphasize the importance of connecting with students as humans. This involves more than just academic interaction; it's about recognizing and valuing students' presence and experiences, which contributes to a more meaningful educational experience.

💡Vulnerability

Vulnerability in the video is discussed in the context of teachers showing their human side to students, as Lindsey mentions. This openness helps in building trust and connection, making students more likely to engage with the learning process. It's a key aspect of the video's message about the importance of genuine relationships in education.

💡Academic Performance

Academic performance is a measure of how well students are doing in their studies. Bobby in the video connects this directly to the care and human connection teachers provide. When students feel that their teachers care about them, their academic performance tends to improve, highlighting the role of relationships in learning outcomes.

💡Emotion and Learning

Emotion and learning are closely connected, as Lindsey points out in the video. Positive emotional states can open up opportunities for more learning. This concept is crucial in understanding how the emotional climate in the classroom can affect students' ability to learn and engage with the material.

💡Transparency

Transparency in the video refers to the openness and honesty teachers bring to their interactions with students. Lindsey discusses this in the context of being real and human, rather than an idealized teacher. This approach helps in building trust and making students feel more comfortable, which is essential for effective learning.

💡Struggle and Challenges

Struggle and challenges are part of the human experience that Lindsey mentions in the video. By showing that teachers also face challenges, students can feel more connected and less alone in their own struggles. This vulnerability can enhance the learning experience by making it more relatable and engaging.

Highlights

Aiden expresses feeling tired, indicating a potential emotional or physical state that could affect learning.

Dr. Darling-Hammond emphasizes the importance of strong relationships in the learning process.

Learning environments should foster long-term relationships to help children attach to school and its community.

Dr. Cantor explains that closeness, consistency, and trust in relationships can release oxytocin, beneficial for brain development.

Falon's morning greeting aims to connect and humanize interactions with students.

Catherine prioritizes relationship building as a key part of her job.

Salma discusses the importance of teachers understanding students' values and community context.

Kirsten values making connections with students over administrative tasks like grading.

Lindsey emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in building a connection with students.

Lindsey acknowledges the frustration of being interrupted, highlighting the need for respect in classroom communication.

Students connect more with teachers who show vulnerability and share their struggles.

Bobby notes that when students feel cared for, their academic performance improves.

Cassidy finds comfort in teachers who are approachable, facilitating better learning.

Aiden's academic motivation is influenced by his relationship with the teacher.

Lindsey connects emotion and learning, suggesting that positive emotions enhance learning opportunities.