Teachers’ moral values and their interpersonal relationships with students and cultural competence

This study explored whether and how teachers’ beliefs about moral values are reflected in the student–teacher relationships (i.e. levels of control and affiliation in teachers’ and students’ perceptions of this relationship), and in teachers’ cultural competence. A positive association was found between teachers’ paternalist beliefs and their own perceptions of control. A negative association was found between teachers’ liberal beliefs and students’ perceptions of affiliation. Positive associations were found between teachers’ liberal beliefs and the metacognitive and motivational components of cultural competence. We discuss the implications for preparation of teachers to reflect on the manifestations of their beliefs in practice.

► Teachers’ paternalist beliefs are positively associated with their own perceptions of control. ► Teachers’ liberal beliefs are negatively associated with students’ perceptions of affiliation. ► Teachers’ liberal beliefs are positively associated with aspects of their cultural competence.