--- title: "Helping Students Feel Known and Supported: Tools for Educators" description: Explore practical tools for educators to strengthen developmental relationships with students, enhancing understanding and support for individual learning needs. image: https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/know-me-tools-meta.png --- Theme + Migration = $1489 (Pay for the Theme Only). [Learn More.](https://www.lpd-themes.com/migration) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - [BLOG](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/) - [DONATE](https://searchinstitute.org/donate) - [CONTACT](https://searchinstitute.org/contact) - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) [RESOURCE HUB](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub) [Why Relationships Matter and How to Get Started](https://searchinstitute.org/relationships-matter-get-started) Understand the foundations of developmental relationships and the power you have to strengthen those relationships for all young people to learn and grow. [Resources Tailored to Your Role](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Resource%20Audience) Tools to support everyone who works with young people — educators, youth program workers, schools and youth program leaders, and community members [Resources Related to the Setting Where Relationships Take Place](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Setting) Young people thrive when they experience a broader web of relationships, build strong relationships in a class or program, at home, and across your organization. [Resources on Key Topics](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Topics) Relationships are key across several disciplines including family systems, social and emotional development, social capital, and community development. [Resources in Your Favorite Format](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?resourceTypes=Activity,Book,Guide,Journal%20Article,Measure%20/%20Assessment%20/%20Evaluation,Relational%20Practice,Report%20/%20Brief,Tool%20/%20Playbook,Video) Explore tools, frameworks, activities, guides, measures, and other research-based resources to build strong relationships with all young people. [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - BLOG - SHOP - DONATE - CONTACT - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [RESOURCE HUB](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub) # Blog September 22, 2026 1 Minute Read By : [Search Institute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) Topics Developmental Relationships Research Developmental Assets Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Provide Support Youth Programs Family Engagement Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) SI Spotlight Share Power Social Capital Solutions Youth Thriving Education / School Expand Possibilities Student Voice Challenge Growth Summer Scholars Thriving Youth Voice Express Care Sparks Data Insights Faith Field Partner Spotlight LGBTQ+ Workshops Relationship Ready Schools Conversation Starters Sports 504 Plan Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Individualized Education Plan Learning Differences Special Education # Helping Students Feel Known and Supported: Tools for Educators [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fstrong-relationships-start-with-feeling-known%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fstrong-relationships-start-with-feeling-known%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fstrong-relationships-start-with-feeling-known%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fstrong-relationships-start-with-feeling-known%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) ![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/know-me-tools-meta.png) [Provide Support](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/provide-support) [Share Power](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/share-power) [Challenge Growth](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/challenge-growth) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Express Care](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/express-care) [Education / School](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/education-school) [Expand Possibilities](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/expand-possibilities) [Student Voice](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/student-voice) [Solutions](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/solutions) [Youth Voice](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-voice) [Youth Thriving](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-thriving) [Learning Differences](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/learning-differences) [Special Education](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/special-education) [504 Plan](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/504-plan) [Individualized Education Plan](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/individualized-education-plan) # Helping Students Feel Known and Supported: Tools for Educators By [Search Institute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) September 22 2026 1 Minute Read Educators know that relationships matter. A student who feels known and supported by a teacher may be more willing to participate, ask for help, take a risk, or share when something isn't working. But knowing relationships matter and having practical ways to strengthen them are not always the same thing. That gap is at the heart of a set of new tools from Search Institute designed to help high school educators turn developmental relationships into everyday practice. Through Search Institute’s work with two high schools, students and school teams consistently identified *being known* by teachers as foundational to a strong developmental relationship. Students wanted educators to understand who they were beyond academic performance, including their strengths, interests, identities, experiences, goals, and how they learn. For students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP), 504 plans that outline educational needs and accommodations, and/or other learning differences, being known also carried another dimension. Students wanted educators to understand their learning needs and accommodations, and to provide those supports consistently. They also wanted opportunities to develop greater understanding of how they learn and confidence communicating what they need. Those insights helped shape [two connected collections of tools](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/know-me-tools). The Know Me **tools** help educators get to know students as people and learners through student inventories, classroom games, conversation prompts, and relationship feedback. TheKnow. Support. Advocate. **tools** provide more targeted resources for supporting students with IEPs and 504 plans. They include tools for making accommodations meaningful, creating student learning profiles, conducting mid-quarter check-ins, and building self-advocacy skills. The tools were designed to be practical and adaptable. An educator might use a brief prompt at the beginning of class, bring a structured guide into a student check-in, or select questions from an inventory that fit their particular students and subject area. There is no required sequence and no expectation that every educator use every tool. That flexibility is intentional. Strong developmental relationships are built over time, through the everyday ways adults listen, respond, follow up, offer support, and invite young people to share who they are. These tools provide educators with concrete ways to make those moments more intentional. They are one example of Search Institute’s broader commitment to translating what we know about human development into practical action that helps young people thrive.   [![Know Me Tools CTA](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Know%20Me%20Tools%20CTA.png?width=2560&height=1000&name=Know%20Me%20Tools%20CTA.png)](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/know-me-tools)     [Provide Support, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/provide-support) [Share Power, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/share-power) [Challenge Growth, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/challenge-growth) [Developmental Relationships, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Express Care, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/express-care) [Education / School, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/education-school) [Expand Possibilities, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/expand-possibilities) [Student Voice, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/student-voice) [Solutions, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/solutions) [Youth Voice, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-voice) [Youth Thriving, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-thriving) [Learning Differences, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/learning-differences) [Special Education, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/special-education) [504 Plan, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/504-plan) [Individualized Education Plan, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/individualized-education-plan) #### Search Institute Author ## Recommended For You [![Students at school walking down hallway](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/iStock-499128033.jpeg)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/improving-student-attendance) [Family Engagement](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/family-engagement) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Education / School](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/education-school) 3 Min Read ### [Improving Student Attendance: A Call for Collaboration and Partnership with Families](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/improving-student-attendance) [Felicia C. Smith, Ed.D. and Benjamin Houltberg, Ph.D. April 22 2025](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/felicia-c-smith-ed-d-and-benjamin-houltberg-ph-d) [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Student-Engagement-Building-Relationship-Finding-Their-Sparks.jpg)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/student-engagement-building-relationships-finding-their-sparks) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Sparks](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/sparks) 2 Min Read ### [Student Engagement: Building Relationships, Finding Their Sparks](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/student-engagement-building-relationships-finding-their-sparks) [Search Institute November 09 2022](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) [![Teacher talking with teen students in classroom setting.](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/TrustinClassroom-Blog.png)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/practical-strategies-for-cultivating-trust-in-the-classroom) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Summer Scholars](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/summer-scholars) [Youth Thriving](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-thriving) [Relationship Ready Schools](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/relationship-ready-schools) 5 Min Read ### [Practical Strategies for Cultivating Trust in the Classroom](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/practical-strategies-for-cultivating-trust-in-the-classroom) [Ayah Phuly December 04 2025](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/ayah-phuly) ![search-footerlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/search-footerlogo.png "search-footerlogo") ## Search Institute 2550 University Avenue West Suite 200N St. Paul, MN 55114 800.888.7828 612.376.8955 i[nfo@searchinstitute.org](mailto:info@searchinstitute.org) - [Research](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [Solutions](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [Insights](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [Funders & Partners](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [About](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [Blog](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/) - [Donate](https://searchinstitute.org/donate) - [Contact](https://searchinstitute.org/contact) - [Subscribe to our Newsletter](https://searchinstitute.org/subscribe-to-our-enewsletter) - [Cancellations, Returns & Refunds](https://searchinstitute.org/cancellations-returns-refunds) - [Public Records](https://searchinstitute.org/nonprofit-status-public-records) - [Permissions Request Form](https://survey.search-institute.org/s3/Permissions-Request-Form) - [Keep Connected](http://keepconnected.searchinstitute.org/) ©2024 Search Institute | [Terms of Use](https://www.search-institute.org/terms-of-use/) Search Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation. 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