As we begin to plan for reopening school and how best to engage our students, it would be helpful to recall the words of Bruce Perry, noted child psychiatrist and trauma expert: Never underestimate the therapeutic impact of a caring teacher. Research consistently demonstrates the importance of quality relationships with teachers, staff, and peers to student success and learning. Thinking in terms of the whole child (competence, relationships, self regulation, and health/well-being) helps us conceptualize the interconnections among student relationships and academic achievement and behavioral self regulation. Supporting all students to have true connections to the classroom and school communities, benefits the learning and well-being of every student. A positive relationship between student and teacher becomes a powerful motivator for academic achievement and prosocial behavior.

Students and their families might have experienced a variety of stressors resulting from the pandemic and their time out of school. Social isolation, lack of structure, financial or food insecurity, sickness, and many other factors may well exacerbate feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression as students return to school; and that can manifest in school as problems learning and/or behaving, as well as gaps in academic skills. Therefore, nurturing a climate and culture of trust and caring will pay big dividends in students’ ability to learn and self-regulate.

Don’t expect, or even attempt, to do everything at once. Begin with basic steps, such as:

• Be sure that every student is known and connected to a caring adult; Establish routines and rituals that improve connectedness;

• Give students voice and listen to what they are saying--- not merely the words, but also the feelings under the words;

• Help students to feel heard and connected.