Designing Relationship Quality Professionally – Understanding and Applying the Chur Model

The "Chur Model" is a development-oriented tool for professionals in the field of education. It is based on the assumption that sustainable educational processes are supported by three central qualities: Leading, Learning, and Being Genuine. These qualities are dynamically interconnected and invite reflection on one’s own practice. In this unit you will learn how the model is structured, how you can apply the three axes of reflection to your work, and how new courses of action can emerge. In addition, the design of space is included as a fourth dimension that supports and makes all three qualities visible.

Warm up

"Relationship is not the goal of pedagogy. It is the condition of everything."

(Chur Model, 2022)

  1. When was the last time you experienced that a genuine relationship enabled change?

  2. In which moments do you feel like a leader? Like a learner? Like a person?

  3. How easy or difficult is it for you to reflect on your professional role?

Write down 3 situations from the last week in which you consciously shaped relationships and discuss them with your buddy.

Learn

Learn – Understanding the Chur Model

Context of origin: Switzerland, early childhood education & schooling

Three central qualities:

  • Leading: providing orientation, conveying security, creating structure

  • Learning: enabling reflection, accompanying learning processes, supporting development

  • Being genuine: acting authentically, transparently, and with presence

Dynamics: These three qualities do not stand side by side but influence each other.

  • Being genuine strengthens leading.

  • Leading creates space for learning.

  • Learning reflects one’s own genuineness.

To find out more click here:

The Churer Model

Done?
Together with your buddy:

  • Choose a concrete everyday situation in which relationship-building challenged you (e.g., group leadership, parent meeting, classroom conflict).

  • Go through the three axes of reflection together:

    • Which quality was particularly present?

    • Which was missing or too weak?

    • How could you have consciously shaped the situation differently?

  • Document your insights in writing or visually (e.g., with a circle of symbols) and exchange ideas about them.

Dive in 1

The Chur Model does not remain on the level of abstract reflection. It is designed so that educational professionals can consciously integrate the three central qualities “Leading – Learning – Being genuine” into their daily professional practice.

What matters is not what I do, but how I have an effect. And I can shape this effect – through reflection, through dialogue, through conscious decisions.

The questions “Am I leading? Am I learning? Am I genuine?” are not control questions but an entry point into a learning process that never ends. They invite you to see yourself as a co-responsible part of a relational process – regardless of role, function, or hierarchy.

Dive deeper into the topic Application and further development:

HERE

Done?
Together with your buddy…
… create a picture or sketch that expresses your current balance between the three qualities.

Variants:

  • A triangle, with side lengths depending on the strength of each quality

  • A mobile, which tilts if one pole is too strong or too weak

  • A collage with symbols that personally represent “Leading,” “Learning,” and “Being genuine” for you

Present your results to each other. Talk about what you want to learn – not only about methods, but about yourselves.

 

 

 

 

Dive in 2

source: churermodell.ch

The Chur Model emphasizes: Space is never neutral – it always has an effect.

Spatial design is therefore not a side aspect, but an integral part of relationship-oriented practice.

Spaces can promote relationships, enable development – or generate insecurity and disorientation. They are co-players in every educational situation.

More information on spatial design in the Chur Model:

HERE

 

Together in your buddy team:
Take photos of a room in your institution. Discuss together:

  • What message does this room convey?

  • What kind of relationship does it invite?

  • What change would be meaningful from the perspective of the Chur Model?

 

 

Transfer 1

What does “Leading, Learning, Being genuine” mean concretely in my everyday life?

Together with your buddy, create a weekly plan in which you consciously aim to strengthen one of the three areas.

Formulate concrete action impulses: “I want to… more.”

Transfer 2

Implementation with children and young people

How do I pass on relational competence?

Together with your buddy, develop a mini-format for children/young people: “What makes good relationships?”

Possible formats: creative collage, symbolic work, film project, poster design, reflection circle

Reflect

Reflect

In times of uncertainty, diversity, and complexity, relationship is a stable resource. Those who design relationships professionally strengthen not only learning processes, but also democracy, participation, and cohesion.

The Chur Model offers a practical framework with ethical depth.

Reflect together with your buddy:
To what extent does your educational practice contribute to strengthening social values such as respect, shared responsibility, and participation?

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