Exceptional environmental connections: Special education teacher approaches to building relationships with students

Abstract 

Current research underscores the significant role that positive teacher-student relationships (STRs) play in a student's academic success. A strong, supportive connection with a teacher can enhance student learning, motivation, and social-emotional development. Teachers who cultivate these relationships tend to foster deeper learning, improved engagement, and a greater sense of support, which makes students feel valued and understood. In the context of special education, relationship-building with students requires special consideration due to the convergence of unique challenges that can include cultural differences, communication barriers, behavioral issues, teacher perceptions, and diverse classrooms environments. This qualitative case study explored how secondary special education teachers perceive and navigate relationship building in the special education classroom. Culturally Relevant Care (CRC) and Care Theory frameworks were used as lenses to explore special education teacher and student relationships in diverse special education classroom environments. Semi-structured interviews and classroom observations were conducted with five special education teachers. The four key findings showed that a positive classroom environment enhances student reciprocity, engagement promotes culturally responsive learning in diverse settings, effective communication in special education fosters student trust, and educational barriers exist that hinder the full implementation of critical CRC components in special education classrooms. This research offers important insights for teachers, administrators, and policymakers, emphasizing the value of fostering strong teacher-student relationships in special education. This study lays the groundwork for future studies on the dynamics of relationships in special education. Strengthening these connections can empower students, leading to greater success and better preparing them for life after school.

The defense will be held via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/99209910186. 

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