Unconditional positive regard means showing students that they are valued and respected no matter how they behave or show up on a given day. They do not have to earn respect and they can't lose it by making mistakes, every student has worth simply because they are human. In practice, this might be staying calm and supportive when a student is off-task instead of reacting with frustration. It could be offering encouragement even after repeated mistakes. It could be approaching a student one-on-one to address a negative situation and giving them the benefit of the doubt instead of calling them out in front of the entire class and singling them out. It’s about maintaining warmth, consistency, and fairness so students know your care for them doesn’t depend on perfection. Honestly, I think that this is not just important for student-teacher relationships, but every human interaction we have. Imagine what the world would be like if we offered everyone this courtesy of being valued and respected.
