Connecting the Dots of Educator-Student Relationships

In this interview with Tricia Taylor, author of Connect the Dots: The Collective Power of Relationships, Memory and Mindset in the Classroom (John Catt Educational), she discusses the three interconnected ideas of relationship, memory, and mindsets, and describes why their impact is so powerful on teaching and learning. She describes why she firmly believes that relationships don’t “just happen,” and that every classroom educator needs to bring intentionality to the practice of developing relationships with learners. 

While listening to the interview, reflect on Taylor’s strategies and how they relate to your practice. The reflection questions below provide a starting point:

• According to Taylor, relationships come first and foremost. Once educators develop good relationships with their students, successful teaching and learning follows. What are some of the ways you’ve tried to develop relationships with students? What are some strategies you haven’t tried, but would like to?

• Taylor shares that there is compelling research demonstrating that teachers’ expectations have a significant impact on students’ performance in the classroom. How have you observed this principle in action in your own career?

• Taylor states that US schools can learn from the UK’s focus on evidence-based instructional strategies. Are you familiar with evidence-based strategies and/or cognitive science? Have you tried any of these strategies?

Learn more about Tricia Taylor’s book, Connect the Dots, and more great John Catt Educational publications, by visiting us.johncattbookshop.com 

About Tricia Taylor

After 20 years of teaching and leading in schools in London and New York, Tricia founded TailoredPractice to pursue a passion to make educational research more practical for educators. Tricia has since worked with a wide range of schools, presented at numerous conferences and is the author of a new book, Connect the Dots: The Collective Power of Relationships, Memory and Mindset in the Classroom (John Catt). 

Tricia occasionally blogs at tailoredpractice.com/blog and religiously sifts through educational research between visits to real classrooms. Tricia is also a member of #womened, strategic advisor to Inclusive Schools and former associate lecturer for English at Goldsmith’s University teacher training programme. Tricia holds a BA in English and Journalism and a Master of Education. She is based in London, but travels widely for work and pleasure.

Follow Tricia on Twitter @triciatailored