About Student Trust

About Student Trust
Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Blog Posting #45 – April 10, 2010

Have you ever thought about the importance of student trust? Does it really matter if your students trust you? Let’s look at what trust really means:

Trust: Noun. Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin: akin to Old Norse traust trust; akin to Old English treowe faithful.
1. a: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b: one in which confidence is placed.

Wow! This is such a small word, with such a powerful definition. Accordingly, in order to step into the shoes of one who is worthy of trust, one would exude the qualities of assured reliance on their own character, ability, strength and/or truth and be someone in whom confidence is placed. It takes a very special, caring and ethical person to fill these shoes and walk in them daily.

Effective teachers know the importance of building trust with their students. It may not be written in the official job description, but teaching without gaining a student’s trust, is like trying to sail a ship without any sails.

Trust building begins on day one and requires consistency as the year progresses. Students who come to trust you will not be classroom management problems: to the contrary, they will help you achieve your goals and they will help other students see you in the best possible light.

One of the best ways to gain student trust is to show that really do care and you are genuinely interested in your students' lives.

Let Your Students Know They Are Important

Step 1- Greeting
Say hi. As your students enter your classroom, greet them with a smile and a simple hello. You don't have to engage them in a lengthy conversation; just talk to them. This shows them that you recognize their existence and that you are glad to see them. This means the world to many students, since they might come from families where their parents aren't glad to see them.

Step 2- Caring Conversation
When you have some time after class or if you see one of your students in the hallway, take a moment to ask how their day went or ask what their plans are for the weekend. Be careful not to be too intense with the questioning; some students would rather not talk to their teachers about their lives, and this is fine. Find something nice to say to the student. As long as your statements or compliments are genuine, they will be well received. Many of your students will welcome the interest you show in them, and this will help them to feel that you are trustworthy.

Step 3- Inclusive Instruction
Include your students in your lessons (always in a positive manner). One of the surest ways to attract the attention of your students is to use them in your teaching. If you are giving an example of something, then use your student's names in the example. If you need some volunteers to demonstrate a concept, ask some of your students to help you. The more student involvement, the more they learn and feel at ease in your class. This not only helps students want to be involved in your lesson, but it also helps the other students pay attention better, as they naturally do when they hear or see their own peers in your lesson.

Step 4-Building and Creating Emotional Safety
Consistently let students know that you are someone who they can come to with any question or concern. Questions like “How are you doing?” or “Is something bothering you?” or “Is there anything I can do to help?” signal that you care. Beginning of the year confusion, intimidation, inconsistency and threats may create short-term compliance, but you put genuine trust at risk. Over time, students will come to you with their concerns trusting that you will listen and that you care about them. Students, like most people, just want to be in the presence of someone who cares. The most effective and trusted teachers are the ones who take time to ask students how they are doing. They reassure them that if they had any questions about the new school they should come to them. An example is a teacher that did this by making sure that students knew how to unlock their hall lockers. Middle school was the first time many of them had ever used a combination lock. Because she took the time to care about their “locker anxiety,” she helped them feel more safe and started earning their trust.

Step-5 Consistency and Reliability
There are 180 school days in most academic years. A teacher can gain the trust of students by making every day, every week and every unit as structured, yet as interesting as possible. Students should know exactly what the goals of the lesson are, and what they are expected to know and be able to do at lesson’s end. Many students lack consistency and reliability in their own lives. Once the trusting starts, some of your students will begin to make up reasons to stay after school. On Fridays, some will even tell you that they cannot wait for Monday. They know that, for at least five days, someone whom they trust will be there for them, care about their learning progress and keep them safe. Your face should bring a sense of joy to their hearts and they should smile when they see you.

Whom Do You Trust?
You trust people who anticipate your needs.
You trust people who demonstrate that they care about you.
You trust people who are reliable and consistent
You trust people who correct your mistakes and help you learn.
You trust people who help you to feel competent and successful.

Guess what? Students will trust you for the same reasons. They will come to trust you if they feel safe physically, socially and emotionally in your classroom. Students who know you care about them will trust you. Students who know you are reliable and consistent will trust you. Students who get academic and personal help when they make mistakes will trust you. Students, who feel competent and successful because of you, will give you much of the credit for their achievements. The teacher worthy of trust is the teacher you always want to thank in person.

Conclusion
To earn a student’s trust is as essential to teaching as the knowledge you have of your subject. Trust is the power given to you by your students enabling you together, to muster the wind needed to set sail. Bon voyage!


"To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - sail, not drift. "--Franklin D. Roosevelt