What are Pedagogies of Care?

Pedagogies of care are educational practices that recognize students as people first and acknowledge the experiences they bring into the classroom. These practices place care at the forefront of teaching, with a focus on those being cared for (students) but also those exercising care (instructors and teaching assistants). Caring pedagogies require relationships between students and educators that can be developed through dialogue, practice, and validating student experiences at the individual and community level (Velasquez et al., 2013). Examples of exercising care in the classroom include accommodating individual needs, fostering positive and respectful interactions, and providing support for learners. When care and empathy are used as tools in the classroom, educators create an environment of safety, understanding, and trust for all members.

Why Are Pedagogies of Care Significant?

A pedagogy of care recognizes the role that the educational environment can have on student well-being. For example, it identifies how students experience increased rates of distress and mental health concerns that can be related to or exacerbated by their academic responsibilities. Therefore, care-based pedagogies are essential in ensuring that courses are designed to minimize stress and promote supportive and inclusive learning approaches.

Experiences that Exist in Our Classrooms

An essential practice in care-based pedagogy is developing a deep understanding of student experiences by acknowledging their concerns and their perspectives (Gorny-Wegrzyn & Perry, 2021). For example, students have unique experiences of family and relationship dynamics and socioeconomic (in)securities. Care-based practices require educators to contextualize their own and students’ experiences and understand how they shape teaching and learning. Examples of student experiences include: