042: Building Trust Among Staff and Students

We all know that one of the foundational characteristics of a healthy relationship is trust. But how often do we talk about it - especially with students? We want to know that we can trust our students to

• - act appropriately when there is a substitute teacher,
• - make good decisions in the hallways or cafeteria, 
• - complete their work, and not copy someone else’s homework. 

We also need to have students realize they can trust us. I wanted my students to trust that 

• - I would listen to them and validate their feelings, 
• - I hold them accountable because I care about them, 
• - I am going to treat them all fairly, 
• - I will design lessons and activities to help them develop the skills they need in the future. 

Last week, while working with a district, a teacher proclaimed that they didn’t have time to discuss trust with their students. If we don’t take the time to ask students what trust looks and sounds like for them, how will we know what actions are needed to nurture trust?

Similarly, a central office administrator once asked me, “Can’t we build trust through our actions?”

I believe we can. 

And having an explicit conversation around trust can help reinforce the actions necessary to build trust. For example, when working with teachers in September, I asked them to write down ways I could cultivate trust with them and among them. One teacher wrote, “Provide difficult feedback - both constructive and positive.”

I don’t usually provide “difficult” feedback until trust has been established; I need colleagues to trust that I am providing constructive feedback because I care about them and want to support their growth. Now that I know that receiving difficult feedback is a trust action with this educator provides me with valuable insight into creating an authentic relationship built on solid communication… and trust.

Our free Establishing a Common Language activity sheet (in the resources section of our website) can help you learn more about how your students and colleagues view trust. It provides them with an opportunity to define it for themselves, make connections to the five SEL competencies, share how one can build trust WITH them, and determine what behaviors can demonstrate that they are trustworthy - in the classroom, the school building, and the community.

Download and adjust the sheet to fit your needs! Perhaps substitute the word “cultivate” with “build,” or use the words “respect,” “growth mindset,” or “responsibility” instead of “trust.”