Learning is much easier when you know the teacher loves you. —A Learning a Day

While  love is not the word I would choose, I agree with that sentiment – students respond to knowing they are genuinely liked, appreciated, and respected. 

That does not mean, of course, that students can’t or don’t learn from teachers who lack those feelings for them.

But the more that students require good teaching to improve their learning and life chances, the more important those qualities are.

And the more people of all ages who feel that way about them—in the classroom, school, and community—the more favorable the learning outcomes, school experience, and life chances in general are likely to be.

What do you think – how important is it that students feel valued and respected by their teachers and classmates?