Episode
The Student Becomes the Teacher: A Simple Strategy for Student Connection - John Norlin
- Podcast
- The CharacterStrong Podcast
- Published
- Jun 26, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 272
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://characterstrong.com
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Summary
Today, host John Norlin shares a simple strategy for connecting with students, even thought who may have been hard to reach: The Student Becomes the Teacher. By asking students what they could teach you, educators can gain personal insight that opens the door to genuine connection, often in less than three minutes. He also explains how a small investment of time outside the classroom, looking up something a student cares about, can change the entire dynamic of a relationship, and why that kind of intentional move is not one more thing on the plate, it is the plate. In this conversation, John offers important reminders for educators and leaders: Asking students what they could teach you is a low-burden, high-impact way to learn something personal about even the hardest-to-reach kids. A few minutes of follow-through, like looking something up and referencing it at the door the next day, signals to a student that you see them as a person, not just a learner. Students notice when an adult makes an intentional move to connect with them, and that moment can shift a relationship that nothing else has been able to crack. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Learn more about CharacterStrong Implementation Support Visit the CharacterStrong Website