Respect is the foundation. Rapport is the spark.
Without respect, students won’t listen. Without rapport, they won’t invest.
Respect comes from fairness, being consistent with everyone. Rapport comes from connection, listening, laughing, sharing life.
Practical steps:
Be clear and fair with expectations.
-Show up consistently, no favorites.
-Take time to know students individually.
-Share pieces of your own story.
When respect and rapport meet, students don’t just comply, they commit. And when they believe in you, they’ll rise to what you call them to be