How to Truly Connect with Students (and Why It Matters)
Want your students to care about learning? Start by showing them they matter.
In this episode, Dr. Lucy Lambert-Guesnard shares stories and strategies to help you build trust and connect deeply with every student—because connection always comes before content.
Do you have kids you struggle to reach? I do! Do you have kids who you think are acting out just for the attention? Me too! How do you connect with students when you’re struggling to fit it all in? It can be done. That is the topic of today’s show.
Back when I first started teaching, I thought the key to success was the perfect lesson plan. Over time, I realized something deeper. Kids need connection to learn. You truly have to relate to educate, as I often say.
In this episode, Dr. Lucy Lambert-Guesnard, a 50-year veteran educator, shares stories and strategies to help us reach every child—especially the ones who seem unreachable. Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with wisdom you can use right now in your classroom.
For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into real progress for their students. See the results they’ve helped schools achieve at SolutionTree.com/10MinuteTeacher.
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How to Truly Connect with Students (and Why It Matters)
10 Minute Teacher Podcast – Audio
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Key Takeaways
How do we build trust before we teach?
“You can’t teach the value of X until students know they are valued.” – Dr. Lucy
Dr. Lucy shares why trust is foundational—and how a small gesture, like remembering a favorite drink at Starbucks, can inspire us to help students feel truly seen.
What’s the “softer side” of teaching really about? ️
It’s not praise for praise’s sake—it’s intentional validation that helps students feel safe enough to learn.
Dr. Lucy distinguishes between hollow encouragement and feedback that shows students we see them.
What do we do with “that kid” who’s acting out?
Hear the story of Joey, a paper-ball-throwing student who found a surprising role in classroom culture.
Rather than send him out, Dr. Lucy offers a strategy to redirect his behavior into something positive—and how teachers can do the same without losing structure.
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👤 Guest Bio – As Submitted
Meet Our Guest: Dr. Lucy Lambert-Guesnard
Dr. Lucy has been an educator for 50+ years. She has been a teacher, campus administrator, and university professor in the Dallas area. She is the former talk show host of The Dr. Lucy Show:Perspectives on Education (660am The Answer).
Dr. Lucy has recently published The Softer Side of Teaching (a good read for ALL teachers and a MUST read for new teachers). She will soon be joining the ranks of educational podcasters! Be sure to come along for the ride! Twitter: @drlucy88 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucy.lambertguesnard Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lucy-lambert-guesnard
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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