How to build rapport

As I have thought through my methods I have realized that a lot of my project will be based on building rapport with my subject. This includes students, parents and teachers; three fundamentally different groups of people. That means for each group I will have to adapt the way I present myself.

Today I was observing a physics class in Mountain View High, and a student teacher was leading the class. She had only been teaching for two months or so, but from my point of view, she seemed very comfortable. She laughed and was very energetic as she the difference between speed and velocity. I was impressed at the level of involvement from the students consisted the majority of them were “mathematically challenged.” When she announced that she would finish her student teaching in a few weeks, the students were legitimately sad about it. They really had developed a strong relationship with her.

There are however there are two student teachers that teach this class, and to me the other gives off a different feel.  She seems at times less sure of herself.  When she lectures, I feel like her mind switches on to “lecture mode” and the class disappears from her conscious. She is not a bad teacher, but her personality doesn’t shine as bright as the first.

The reason I mention these two examples is because I believe self-confidence is a huge part of rapport. The first student teacher was herself and the class trusted her for it. I think about the interview we listened to in class, about the researcher who studied a polygamist community. When she took pictures, she did not act super formal and serious, but was playful and happy. I believe that will need to be the core of how I will build rapport in Mexico, especially with the students. They must see me as an equal and not a future American teacher wanting to use them as subjects for my research.

Now I would like to think of a few specific examples I could use in building rapport. For example, I think that how I present myself is very important. They need to feel that I am normal and can relate to their lives. They may find it interesting that I lived in Chile for two years or maybe that I’m a triplet. In interviews with parents they might find in insane to hear about how my mother raised five kids with only a four year age span between us. I could even carry around a wallet size picture of my family to let them feel even more personal connected with my family. I really believe that’s the trick, all my subjects should feel that I am open and honest, that I have nothing to hide.  My opinion is that once they feel that I am open with them, they will feel that they can be open with me.

It is then when I can use the famous rule found in the Bernard article “Get people on to a topic of interest and get out of the way. Let the informant provide information that he or she thinks is important.” Once they feel comfortable opening up to me, it’s my job to simply let them tell me what they think is important for me to know.

In conclusion, to build rapport, my plan is to be confident in being myself and be very open with my subjects.   By doing so I hope that they feel a confidence in me that will cause them to be more open and honest with me.