Key Indicator Taxonomy of Relational Teaching

Abstract

How teachers relate to their students when they teach can contribute to a deeper and more coherent relational understanding of teaching as an interpersonal profession. This article presents a key indicators’ taxonomy of relational teaching. Within the theoretical perspective of teaching called Pedagogical Relational Teachership a taxonomy to inquiry the relational dimension of the teaching profession is developed. The concept of relational teaching is categorised into a model under the themes of Tact and Stance and then further organised into six smaller units. These six relational key indicators can be used by empirical researchers to capture and illuminate the ongoing relational processes between teachers and students on a micro-level, as well as support pre-service and in-service teachers to create sustainable and trustful relationships with their students. Finally, the article discusses how this nuanced taxonomy can be applied in practice and research to cultivate the relational proficiencies of teachers in the twenty-first century.