Building Relationships Through Student Travel
Beyond the Classroom
by Jamie Schoenbauer
The latest buzz in the education world is about building relationships with your students. Building strong teacher-student relationships isn't just beneficial—it's life-changing. Research shows positive relationships between teachers and students can significantly impact student engagement, motivation, academic performance, and overall well-being. Strong teacher-student relationships are consistently linked to higher academic achievement, improved behavior, and reduced dropout rates.
So, how does student travel change the dynamic between teachers and students? It can have a significant impact in a number of ways.
Things to consider:
- Traveling together creates a unique shared experience that can break down traditional dynamics and foster a sense of camaraderie between teachers and students.
- Teachers gain a deeper understanding of their students' personalities and strengths when they see them in a new setting.
- Spending time together outside a classroom can encourage more open and personal conversations between teachers and students.
- Managing the ins and outs of a trip can increase trust between teachers and students, as they rely on each other to manage the logistics of travel.
- Travel allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations, which can lead to a more engaged and motivated student body.
- Students may be more willing to participate in class discussions and collaborate with their peers when they return to the classroom.
Travel allows teachers a unique and powerful opportunity to build bonds with their students. This is vital—in today’s world, relationship building is more important than ever, and travel can give teachers a way to form connections and support their students both academically and personally.