ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the value of relationships in classrooms and the importance of the relationship built between teacher and student, student and student, students and their learning, and with the wider community. As teachers assume more democratic roles of connector, collaborator and facilitator, the more traditional views of schools and the language used to describe them have changed. Just being a teacher is clearly not enough to generate strong positive relationships with students. Socialising with students may be seen as a ‘no-go zone’ by some teachers, as it is fraught with the risk of misinterpretation by students, parents/carers and school administrations. Even if the teacher has established strong and successful connections with students, there are other very significant relationships in the classroom that can impact on teaching and learning. Adolescence has a focus on the self and the classroom needs to embrace this essential relationship if a student is to feel confident enough to be open to learning.
