Basic lines in the study of the problem of interaction between a teacher and pupils are analysed. An aspect of the problem concerning the relations between a teacher and a collective of senior schoolchildren he tutors has been particularly attended. Three factors determining efficiency of the tutor have been revealed: the degree of his engagement in the life of the class, adequate understanding of the structure of the latter, the tutor's age. Satisfaction of individual pupils with the membership in the class collective is described as a function of the above factors. Strategic issues in the problem studied are discussed.