Beyond the to-do list: Why teacher-student relationships matter more than ever

The beginning of a new school year can be a whirlwind. Calendars fill up quickly, and it’s easy for relationship-building to fall to the bottom of an ever-growing to-do list. 

But as research overwhelmingly shows, a strong foundation of meaningful teacher-student relationships is a critical component to the positive student outcomes that schools aim to achieve.

Decades of research have painted a clear picture: when students feel connected to their teachers, they are more motivated, more engaged, and more likely to succeed academically. They develop crucial social and emotional skills and are better equipped to handle the challenges of school life. 

In fact, focusing on relationship-building has a direct impact on some of the biggest challenges in education, including student absences and behavior issues. According to a 2024 report by The Grad Partnership, rates of chronic absenteeism dropped in a set of middle and high schools that tested strategies to build connectedness.

Students who feel more connected at school are less likely to report emotional distress and are more likely to have higher grades, better test scores, and to graduate high school.

So, how can we make relationships a priority when time is a precious commodity? This is where a tool like Along can help. 

Along provides an efficient and effective way for teachers to hear from and connect with their students, all while building trust and fostering student ownership. 

It’s not about adding another item to the to-do list. It’s about making meaningful connections a key part of the classroom experience throughout the entire school year.

The science of connection

Along’s platform is grounded in the science of relationships. 

Along’s content, developed in collaboration with diverse students, educators, and researchers, is built around the Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework. This framework identifies five key components of a strong relationship: expressing care, challenging growth, providing support, sharing power, and expanding possibilities. 

Along offers a library of scaffolded and open-response reflection questions designed to prompt these essential elements. By engaging with these questions, teachers can create a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel seen and heard.

“Kids do not care how much you know until they know how much you care,” said Nicole Horne-Sherman, a leadership teacher at Thompson Intermediate School in Texas. “

Along creates a space for genuine connection and allows for an authentic expression and a deeper mutual understanding. 

Melissa Graciano, a math teacher at Bondy Intermediate School in Texas, has experienced this firsthand. 

“With Along, some (students) are a bit more open because they know no one but me will see it,” Graciano said. 

This can lead to uncovering hidden insights and unexpected aspects of a student’s personality.

From insight to action

Beyond the initial connection, Along provides guidance for educators to take action on what students share. 

This includes tips for adjusting instruction to appropriately challenge students and classroom activities that help students recognize their strengths. This is crucial because research shows that when students experience strong instruction and high expectations, they learn more. 

By utilizing Along, educators can proactively build strong relationships that will lead to more engaged, motivated, and successful students all year long.