- How does a teacher build relationships to support student learning?

            A teacher can build relationships that support student learning through many ways.  First, a teacher can  a student's answer to a question and consider the possibility that the student's answer can have some truth behind it, rather then shutting them down and denying their answer.  Secondly, a teacher can enforce excitement into discussions about all different topics; engage the student's mind.   This will help the student become more interested in learning and wanting to understand what has been brought up.  Third, a teacher should not be too powerful over his/her students, because it may be something that holds the students' learning back.  The student may be fearful of what to say because a teacher is using too much authority and force in the classroom environment.  Fourth, a teacher should create an environment that makes learning fun, exciting, and spontaneous.   The student, in an excited environment, will be eager to learn more because he/she is having fun, while learning.  Lastly, a teacher should always encourage his/her students that they can achieve excellence as long as the put their mind to it.   If you make a child feel dumb at any moment that can set the child back and make him/her feel as though he/she can't achieve anything.  If you help a child to understand that no matter what, or how hard you try, and if you do not do as well as you liked, that if you gave it your all, then you did great, and you can succeed. 

- What does collaborative problem-solving and shared decision making look like?

            Collaborative problem-solving involves shared decision making.  In a collaborative group students interact with one another, sharing ideas, thoughts, and feelings about a certain topic of choice.  Students also give respect to the others in the group and if a conflict arises, they learn skills to resolve that conflict and come to an agreement.  Each student actively participates in the discussion and the assignment given to them.  Students are challenged and interested by the projects and questions that are brought into play.  A main issue about collaborative problem-solving is that the groups are very diverse enabling students to hear different view points, understand different cultures, and value the differences between all.  So, as a teacher, I would see all the students in a group sharing their ideas, values, and cares, while respecting everyone, for the topic at hand.