The Interplay Between Core Values and Teaching Practices

Abstract: Core values in education are fundamental principles that shape teaching practices, influence professional behavior, and guide the development of nurturing and ethical learning environments. This critical review investigates the perceptions of future educators regarding core educational values and explores how these values inform their emerging professional identity and pedagogical decisions. By synthesizing findings from a broad range of scholarly literature, the paper emphasizes the vital role that values such as respect, integrity, compassion, and responsibility play in the educational process. The review identifies key challenges in the integration of values education within teacher training, including a lack of structured curricular content, varying interpretations of values across cultures, and the increasing pressure of academic and administrative demands. Despite these challenges, the literature consistently underscores the importance of equipping pre-service teachers with the tools to navigate ethical dilemmas, foster inclusive classrooms, and promote moral reasoning among learners. A significant implication of this review is the need for teacher education programs to embed values education systematically and meaningfully into their frameworks. Doing so will not only strengthen the moral foundation of future educators but also enhance their ability to cultivate value-laden learning environments. The review also calls for reflective practice as a core component of teacher preparation, encouraging future educators to internalize and apply core values in diverse educational contexts. The study reinforces that values education is not an optional component but a critical pillar of effective teacher preparation and a key driver of holistic educational outcomes. Keywords: core values, education, future educators, values education, teacher identity