a teacher talnking to a student in a corridor

What students think about teachers' role in student health

Teachers that spread happiness and make learning joyful, help students create a sense of control over their studies, and make each student feeling valued. These are characteristics that are important for student health in a broad sense, shows a new study in education from Linnaeus University.

School has been identified as a suitable arena for targeting improvements in the health of children and young people. Teachers are highlighted as crucial contributors to student health which has resulted in changes in the teaching profession.

The aim of a new study in education has thus been to examine the students’ perspective on the role of the teacher in working with student health. Authors of the study are doctoral student Zofia Hammerin, senior lecturer Jenny Westerlund and associate professor Goran Basic at Linnaeus University.

Four roles for teachers

In the study, 34 students aged 16–19 years were interviewed. The type of health the students bring to light is health in a broad and holistic sense: being seen and valued as well as feeling happy, experiencing meaningfulness and control. Based on what the students highlighted as important for their well-being, the researchers could distinguish four important roles for teachers:

  • The teacher as a creator of joyful learning: making lessons engaging, varied, and understandable.
  • The teacher as a creator of a sense of control: to provide clear information, organise lessons effectively, and support students in managing their workload.
  • The teacher as a spreader of happiness: spreading happiness through humour and positive Interactions.
  • The teacher as a creator of feeling valued: to recognise their individuality and social identities.

“What students appear to be asking for is that their health be supported through education, rather than being educated about health”, Zofia Hammerin summarises.

Inclusive teaching

The study shows that the student perspective on the teacher’s role in student health work closely parallels the role of the teacher in so-called inclusive teaching. Inclusive education is a pedagogical approach where the needs and abilities of all students are taken into account, and where all students feel included and welcome in the learning environment.

“In this view, the teacher’s work with student health is not a separate or novel task, but an inherent aspect of their professional role enacted through everyday pedagogical and relational practices”, Goran Basic concludes.

More information