Building meaningful connections with students is one of the most powerful ways teachers can influence learning, motivation, and long‑term success. While curriculum and instruction matter, relationships are the foundation that makes deep learning possible. To better understand how educators can strengthen these connections, we spoke with Laura Wollmann, a special education teacher in Grand Forks, North Dakota, who shared thoughtful insights based on her classroom experiences.
Why Meaningful Connections with Your Students Matter
Strong relationships are not just a ‘nice to have’, they are essential for learning. Laura explains, “Students are humans. They need to feel a sense of belonging before they trust another human enough to begin learning from them. They want to feel loved, heard, and respected. If they do not trust their teachers, they will not perform to their highest potential.”
Students grow best when they feel accepted. She emphasizes, “We all grow best when we feel like the people around us accept us and trust our work; students are the same way.” When students feel safe and valued, they are more willing to take risks, engage in learning, and push themselves academically.
Simple but Powerful Ways to Create Meaningful Connections
Even in busy classrooms, small intentional actions can make a big difference. According to Laura, “One of the first things a teacher can do in the morning is greet students by their preferred name. This starts the day off in a positive manner and helps students know that the teacher accepts who they are.”
She also highlighted the importance of regular check‑ins: “Teachers also check in with students to get a deeper picture of what is going on in their lives and to better meet their learning needs.” These moments help educators understand the whole child – not just their academic performance.
How Students Change When They Feel Seen and Valued
When students feel genuinely supported, their behavior and motivation often shift dramatically. “Students thrive when they feel valued, and they put much more effort into their learnings,” she says. She continued to share a personal experience about a middle school student who initially resisted her subject: “They would come in upset every day, grumbling about having to work on the next lesson. Once they got to know me, understood that there were expectations in the class, and saw the growth they were making, their entire attitude changed.” She continues, “They are still not the biggest fan of my content, but I have caught them talking about it positively in other classes.”
Her takeaway is a reminder to all educators. “Building meaningful relationships is not easy or simple; it takes time. You do not see progress overnight, but when you look back months or years later, you know it made a difference in how students grew as individuals,” she shares.
Common Mistakes Teachers Make – and What Works Better
Many teachers assume there is a universal strategy for connecting with students, but Laura stresses that this is far from true. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to connecting with students and building relationships,” she emphasizes. Educators must adapt their approach. She explains, “A strategy that works well with Student A might be the worst approach for Student B. Teachers often try different ways to connect with each individual student until they find what works.”
It is also important to recognize that not every student will bond deeply with every teacher. “There is also the reality that you will not be every student’s go-to person, and that is okay. What matters is that every student has at least one trusted adult they can turn to in difficult times,” she points out. Sometimes, supporting students means knowing when to step back. “It is important to recognize when another person may be better suited to support a particular student,” she says.
Balancing Teacher-Student Connections with Boundaries
Connection does not mean oversharing or blurring professional lines. Laura explains, “It is important to prepare yourself by knowing what information you are willing to share about yourself and what you are not. This helps set clear boundaries in real-life situations.” She adds, “It is also okay to tell students that you are not willing to share certain information and explain why in a developmentally appropriate way.” She continues, “As educators, we model healthy boundaries so students can learn how to set boundaries in their own lives.”
Advice for Overwhelmed Teachers
For educators who want to connect more deeply but feel stretched thin, she advises, “Step back and be yourself. Students feel a stronger connection when teachers are genuine and authentic.” Authenticity matters because every student is different and staying true to yourself ensures students get the connection they need. “We all connect in different ways, which is important because our students have different personalities. If we are not being who we are meant to be, some student may miss out on the connection they need.”
Meaningful connections with students are built through consistency, authenticity, and a willingness to understand each child as an individual. Laura’s insights show that connection is not about perfection, it is about presence. When students feel valued, respected, and supported, they are far more likely to thrive both academically and personally.
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