Going Back to the Basics: Demonstrating Care, Connectedness, and a Pedagogy of Relationship in Education

Abstract

Without question, it is imperative in today’s era of standards, accountability, and performance assessment, thatteachers are skilled in content knowledge and pedagogical strategies. However, the humanistic side of education isequally important for effective teaching and learning. As such, educators need to be reminded of the importance ofdemonstrating care and connectedness in their classrooms and schools. The current research summary providesliterature related to the concepts of care and connectedness and shares strategies for demonstrating care andconnectedness in our classrooms and schools. The paper serves as a call to action to all educators, especially thosewho teach young adolescents, to find a way back to the basic principles of education. Teachers need to exhibit careby adapting their teaching to meet the needs of all students while building connections and positive student-teacherrelationships at all levels of education and in all learning environments.