Value-oriented model of advanced training for Sunday school teachers: pedagogical conditions and implementation experience

The research problem and its relevance stem from the crisis of spiritual and moral values in modern education, including religious education, which is particularly evident in Sunday schools. Despite their growing numbers, there is a shortage of teachers who combine professional pedagogical competencies with deep spiritual maturity, diminishing the effectiveness of the educational process. This issue necessitates the development of new advanced training models that integrate methodological preparation with the spiritual formation of educators. The goal of research is to develop and test a value-oriented advanced training model for Sunday school teachers, fostering a professional identity rooted in both pedagogical mastery and spiritual-moral values. The methodology employed a mixed-methods design with a sample of 35 Sunday school teachers from the Udmurt Republic. Quantitative tools included the “EmIn” emotional intelligence questionnaire, the Mehrabian scale, and the “Hand” test, while qualitative methods involved interviews, observations, and analysis of reflective notes. The 72-hour training program, “Listening with the Heart,” combined modules on spiritual-moral education and practical application of original teaching methods. Results showed statistically significant improvements in emotional intelligence (ΔTIE = +13.8 points, *p* <0.01), reduced aggression levels (−10%), and increased empathy (+12.2 points). Qualitative analysis revealed a transformation in professional identity, with 82.8% of teachers incorporating categories like “service”, “humility”, and “love” in their reflections. Practical implementation demonstrated a 55% increase in the use of spiritual-moral methods (from 18 to 73% of instructional time). These findings confirm that the value-oriented model effectively cultivates not only professional skills but also the spiritual-moral maturity of educators.