Relationships between teachers and students are an essential building block to successful years in high school. Many teachers inspire, encourage, or even guide students throughout school.

“Student/teacher relationships are very important,” Lonnie Godfrey, campus math teacher, said. “It makes the students see the teacher not only as a friend, but as a counselor.”

Several students take time during lunch and in between classes to talk to teachers about schoolwork and personal problems.

“I believe that even just a simple, ?hi how are you,’ at the beginning of the class makes a small connection between the teachers and student,” Sarah McComb, ’04, said. “That small ?hello’ makes it easier to talk to teachers when you want to ask them more serious questions because the connection is already made.”

Relationships can go further than a “hi and bye” in the classroom or hallway; they might go as far as the student asking personal questions and opening themselves up to a teacher. With this positive introduction, a teacher often reciprocates by offering after school help or by being a mentor.

“I think it’s awesome for students to have a close relationship with teachers,” Kim Bimat, ’06, said. “I am very close to Mr. [Scott] Falk and talk to him about biblical guidance and questions I have about school.”

While a number of students take the advantage of building a personal relationship and gaining knowledge from teachers, others miss out on a possible life changing experience.

“I think it’s unnecessary to get to know teachers,” Eric Neufeld, ’05, said. “Why should I put time in when I am only in the class for the subject. I only have few relationships with teachers only because they initiated it.”

Often strong teacher/student relationships created in high school continue after graduation and throughout college.

“I still come back a couple of times a week and help Mrs. [Molly] Sargent in Academic Decathlon,” Melissa Morris, ’03, graduate, said. “Since I had a closer relationship with her and knew she needed help in her class, I knew I was more than welcome to come back.”