Good Teacher-Student

Relationships: Perspectives of
Teachers in Urban High School
By Haslina, Doreen, Sofea & Umairah

Teachers and relationship with Students

Intrapersonal
relationship with
students
School
structure

Students
behavior

Teachers
emotional
well-being
and job
satisfactio
n

Teacher
teaching
strategies
School
climate

Benefit for
students

Standard, performance,
accountability and
measure result

Emotional aspects
of teaching

Teachers and Relationships with

Students
Factors affecting
Teachers emotional
well-being & job
satisfaction
Students behaviour
School
structure/Physical
geography
Standards,
performance,
accountability and
measurable results.

Effect on teachers
Desire to work closely
with students
Interpersonal
relationship with
students
think and act but
never really feel

Aims of this study:

1. Understand
teachers
definition of good
student-teacher
relationships

2. Explore the
nature of good
teacher-student
relationships
based on
teachers
understanding

Teachers Main Desired Behaviours

Demonstrate good discipline

Polite interpersonal behaviours

3. Demonstrating
positive social
behaviours

Arrive at class prepared

Pay attention during class
Be academically motivated

1. Demonstrating
engagement &
interest in school
work
2. Being
respectful, rule
abiding &
cooperative

Additional Desired Behaviour

Being respectful towards others
Have a good sense of humour
Accepting teachers as individuals
Respect the school environment
Respect themselves

Teacher Interview Themes

Having a
sense of
humor
When you
have good
relationships
, you dont
need rules
Humor can
make
materials
more
accessible

Showing
respect
Respect was
a two-way
communicati
on

Trying hard in
class
All teachers
claimed to
have good
relationships
with
students
who tried
hard in class

Talking to
teachers
All teachers stated
that students talked
to them in non
academic contexts
and that these
informal teacher
talks symbolised
good relationship
When students
talked to teachers,
it conveyed the
message that they
trusted them
Contributed to the
building of good
relationships.

 Being cooperative, trustworthy, honest

Assuming responsibility for their actions.

Following classroom rules

Following teachers instructions
Being polite to teachers
Maintaining good attendance
Showing interest in the subject matter.
Demonstrating academic improvement.

3. Demonstrating
maturity and
positive
personality traits
2. Being respectful
1. Demonstrating
engagement &
interest in school
work

Student Behaviours that contribute

to Good T-S Relationship

Discussion of Student Behaviours

that contribute to Good T-S
Relationship
Teachers see relationships with students as central to their jobs.

- Benefits of good relationships as relating to the academic environment.

(having high course passing rates, few discipline problems.
- T &S see their relationships as serving instructionally beneficial
purposes.
- Establishing supportive classroom environments.
- Students academic behaviours were largely emotional responses to
teachers behaviours.
- Teachers considered student responsiveness and enthusiasm as central
to their own enthusiasm.