An important step in preparing our classrooms and curriculum is getting to know our students as individuals and building a relationship that is reciprocal and characterized by trust. Jaruszewicz (2013) discusses the importance of building individual connections, stating that

Building trust requires connecting with each child on a personal level, so that they know you care about them and what happens to them, are curious about what they think, and firm with them when they need guidance. These things give children the emotional security they need to share with you their impressions, confidences, questions, and fears-information you can use to develop, adapt, and personalize whatever curriculum you use to best represent what your children know and do. (Jaruszewicz, 2013, section 3.3, para. 32)

Notice how Jaruszewicz emphasizes that knowing the students as individuals allows for designing individualized curriculum which is more aligned with their needs. In this discussion, we explore the importance of building trust with students to gain insights into how to best meet their needs in an education environment.

Initial Post: After reading Chapter 3 of your text, the Tips for Developing Positive Teacher Student Relationships (http://teaching.about.com/od/Information-For-Teachers/a/Tips-For-Developing-Positive-Teacher-Student-Relationships.htm) article, and the Reciprocal Relationships (https://www.naeyc.org/familyengagement/principles/3) article

• Discuss one or more strategies you will use to gather information on your students in an effort to get to know them and their family (interest inventory, home visit, etc.). Include the benefits of the strategy and use a specific example of how you plan to implement it in your classroom.

• Reflect on the reading, "Tips for Developing Positive Teacher Student Relationships." Discuss two approaches you will use to build trust with each of your students and why you believe these approaches will be effective.

• Reflect on the reading, "Reciprocal Relationships." Discuss two approaches you will use to build trust with families and why you believe these approaches will be effective.

• Discuss one or more strategies you can use to prepare your classroom to represent the students, such as through a family bulletin board or a community college. Support your strategies with the text and at least one scholarly resource.