The goals of this study were: (1) to assess the unique contributions of curiosity and demographics to the teacher-student relationship; and (2) to identify the most common barriers teachers experience when attempting to build positive relationships with students. A sample of 518 public school teachers from across the United States completed an online survey. The results show that curiosity and grade level predict teacher-student relationships. Students' negative behavior, time constraints, large class sizes, family issues, and truancy were among the most common barriers to positive teacher--student relationships. The discussion includes theoretical and practical implications for educators and school leaders.