Teaching as Emotional and Relational Practice
Course Overview
Teaching as Emotional and Relational Practice is a course developed to prepare future educators for the human realities of classroom life. The course addresses the emotional and relational conditions that influence classroom stability, instructional effectiveness, and professional longevity.
While teacher preparation programs provide essential training in pedagogy and subject matter, many of the most consequential decisions teachers make occur in situations shaped by human interaction, emotional complexity, and professional responsibility. These situations require sound professional judgment developed through guided study and reflection.
This course strengthens the capacity of future teachers to understand and respond to these conditions responsibly and effectively.
Course Purpose
The purpose of the course is to develop teachers’ ability to:
- Exercise professional judgment in emotionally complex classroom situations
- Interpret and respond to student behavior in ways that preserve classroom stability
- Sustain professional effectiveness through responsible management of workload and relational responsibilities
- Build and maintain productive relationships with students
- Make sound decisions under conditions of uncertainty and competing demands
- Sustain professional effectiveness over time
These capacities are foundational to both effective teaching and long-term retention in the profession.
Role Within Teacher Preparation Programs
The course is designed to complement existing teacher preparation curricula by addressing areas essential to professional effectiveness that are not fully addressed through traditional instructional training alone.
It may be integrated as:
- A required course within teacher preparation programs
- An upper-level course for pre-service teachers
- A component of professional preparation sequences
- A course supporting teacher readiness and retention initiatives
The course aligns with institutional priorities related to teacher effectiveness, program strength, and graduate success.
Course Structure
The course provides structured opportunities for students to examine the emotional and relational dimensions of teaching through guided study, discussion, and applied reflection. Its design supports the development of professional judgment and responsible decision-making within the realities of classroom practice.
The course is fully developed and available for institutional adoption or licensing.
Institutional Inquiry
Institutions interested in learning more about course integration or adoption are invited to contact the Center for Sustainable Teaching.
Email: g.cyr@centerforsustainableteaching.com
Center for Sustainable Teaching
P. O. Box 520082
Longwood, FL