Positive student-teacher relationships increase both academic engagement and prosocial behavior at all levels of schooling. Teachers who offer individual students and entire classes the “educational friendship” of respect, appreciation and good old benefit of the doubt fundamentally alter experiences of schooling for the better. But what about teacher-to-teacher friendships? Are those just a nice bonus when they materialize, or does a warm, collaborative professional environment make a significant difference?
Washington Council of Administrators of Special Education