214: Nothing's Going to Change My Mind: How Unconditional Positive Regard Transforms Classrooms
Sep 18, 2023
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Alex Shevrin Venet, an expert in unconditional positive regard, discusses how this philosophy can transform difficult student-teacher relationships. She explores the application of unconditional positive regard in trauma-informed teaching, the importance of recognizing student worth, the challenges of maintaining unconditional positive regard, and the need to prioritize care and relationships in education.
Unconditional positive regard is a philosophy that can transform teacher-student relationships by communicating to students that they are valued and cared for regardless of their actions or behaviors.
Adopting unconditional positive regard in teaching involves accepting students for who they are, building relationships, and creating a safe and trusting environment to foster connection, equity, and trauma-informed education.
Deep dives
The Philosophy of Unconditional Positive Regard
Unconditional positive regard is a philosophy that can transform teacher-student relationships. It involves communicating to students that they are valued and cared for regardless of their actions or behaviors. This approach builds a foundation for students to thrive by creating a safe and accepting environment. While adopting this philosophy may be challenging given the demands of teaching and students' challenging behaviors, it can have a significant impact on both student interactions and teacher satisfaction. By holding unconditional positive regard, teachers can connect with students on a deeper level, find common interests, and understand the factors contributing to challenging behaviors.
Understanding Unconditional Positive Regard
Unconditional positive regard originated from psychotherapist Carl Rogers in the 1950s. It involves accepting individuals for who they are and creating an environment where they feel valued without needing to earn it. In the context of teaching, unconditional positive regard means caring for students and believing in their worthiness regardless of their academic performance or behavior. It requires building relationships, discovering students' interests beyond academic achievements, and maintaining curiosity about their struggles and challenges. By adopting this approach, teachers can foster a sense of trust, safety, and connection with students, which is foundational in trauma-informed education and equitable practices.
Applying Unconditional Positive Regard in Challenging Situations
Even in challenging situations, it is important to maintain unconditional positive regard. The key is to separate a student's behavior from their worth as a person. When faced with difficult behaviors, teachers should approach students with curiosity and try to understand the underlying reasons. Building relationships, finding common interests, and cultivating a sense of safety can help in establishing trust. It is crucial to recognize that addressing inappropriate behavior does not contradict unconditional positive regard. By holding high expectations for students and providing necessary support, teachers can guide them towards positive growth and learning.
Support and Collaboration for Unconditional Positive Regard
Creating a school environment that embraces unconditional positive regard requires a collective effort. Colleagues should engage in prospective keeping conversations to help teachers maintain perspective and manage their emotions. The power dynamics between students and teachers often lead to challenging situations, and having a supportive team is crucial. Collaborative efforts ensure that the focus remains on caring for students and providing them with the best learning environment. By shifting away from a culture of competition and scarcity, and towards abundance and care, schools can help create a more compassionate and equitable society.
At a time when student behaviors and attitudes seem more troubling than ever before, we may need to approach their behavior in a different way, too. In this episode, Alex Shevrin Venet returns to talk about unconditional positive regard, a philosophy that offers students care no matter what — they don't have to earn it, and nothing they do can make it go away. This approach can transform some of the most difficult student-teacher relationships, but it's not easy. Venet shows us how it works, why it works, and how teachers can get the support they need to navigate it.