Supporting student teachers’ relational competencies and mindfulness in a Danish teacher education program

Presentation of research in the context of DK teacher education - from a pedagogical project for student teachers focused on relational competencies and mindfulness. The research design was mixed method. Analysis of the quantitative experimental data has shown an effect on the student teachers’ mental health. The background for these effects and the connection to the students teachers’ relational work as prospective teachers was discussed based on a thematic analysis of interview data. Five key points were highlighted referring to the perceived outcomes: 1) A fruitful tension between something well known and something very different, 2) a synthesis in both body and brain, 3) difference compared to the normal performance orientation and acceleration, 4) a community of learning together has developed and has been experienced as supportive, this is both among peers but also scaffolded by the teacher educators, 5) the student teachers themselves experience to have developed competencies they intend to use with future students and colleagues.