Recently I read a New York Times article about the practice of looping.

It’s a concept that has been rolling around in my mind since 2022, when I became the sole Social Studies teacher for grades six, seven, and eight. At first, I cringed at the idea of being paired with the same group of students for more than a single school year. I had a rough transition to this new school, filling the shoes of a much-beloved predecessor.  A number of students openly told me that they preferred their former teacher over me and wished that he would return. Others, with slightly more tact, simply tuned me out altogether.

In one of my past teaching positions, I would have muddled through the year and looked forward to a new start with a fresh batch of students who didn’t possess any preconceptions or attachments. But, because I was the only kid on the block (not simply the new kid) I had to make the situation work – I had to build relationships with my students because they would not be moving on. We would be looping with each other.

In case you are new to the concept, looping is a practice that involves a teacher moving up to the next grade level with their current students rather than having a new teacher for the next school year. This means that the teacher remains with the same group of students for more than one academic year. Looping is sometimes referred to as rematching and teacher continuity.

Here are some of the benefits of looping:

Enhancing Teacher-Student Relationships: Looping allows teachers to build deeper, more meaningful relationships with their students. Over time, teachers get to know their students’ learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses, which can lead to more personalized instruction. As Dr. Adam Grant pointed out in his NYT article, “The nuanced knowledge they acquire about each student isn’t lost in the handoff to the next year’s teacher.”

Continuity and Stability: Students benefit from a sense of continuity and stability when they move up to the next grade with the same teacher. They don’t need to adjust to a new teacher’s expectations, teaching style, or classroom rules. 

Academic Progress: Teachers can more accurately track students’ academic progress because they have a longer timeframe for observation and assessment. This can lead to targeted interventions and support when needed.

Social and Emotional Growth: Looping can support students’ social and emotional development. They feel more comfortable with their teacher and peers, which can lead to increased confidence and better social interactions.

Parent-Teacher Relationships: Looping can foster stronger relationships between teachers and parents, as parents work with the same teacher for multiple years and have a better understanding of their child’s educational journey.

Improved Academic Performance: Some studies suggest that students in looping classrooms may experience improved academic performance, possibly due to the strong relationships and personalized instruction. A 2021 study found that “the positive effects of rematching are consistently more pronounced for racial/ethnic minority students, English language learners, and students with lower test scores.”

Effective Classroom Management: With a deeper understanding of their students’ behavior patterns and needs, teachers can implement more effective classroom management strategies.

Increased Teacher Satisfaction: Looping can lead to increased job satisfaction for teachers who enjoy building long-term relationships with their students and who thrive in a stable teaching environment.

And the best part about looping is the cost: moving teachers along with their students is absolutely free!

My particular arrangement, teaching students over a three year period, has shifted my perspective as an educator. In the past, I pressured myself to help students achieve as much growth as possible over a single school year. Now, I can take a more growth-mindset perspective. If a student doesn’t attain growth this year, I now understand that they haven’t attained growth…yet! 

Looping is a teaching practice that offers many advantages, enhancing the educational experience for both students and teachers. The continuity and strong relationships fostered in looping classrooms can lead to improved academic performance, social and emotional growth, and a more positive classroom environment. Teachers and students alike benefit from the familiarity and trust that develop over time.

Ed X!