The present research demonstrates initial evidence of validity of a model of pedagogical practice for teacher educators, the Pre-Service Teacher Motivation Model, which is conceptually based in self-determination theory. The study deployed a survey comprising items constituting the proposed model's factors, and measures of satisfaction of basic psychological needs and teacher self-efficacy, which were completed by pre-service teachers (N = 402) in two independent cohorts (n = 185; n = 217). The final model comprised three factors, Relational Dynamics, Student-Centered Organization, and Connected Learning. The findings are evidence of the model's potential utility as a tool for informing the design of learning and teaching, and reflective practices in teacher education.