Teachers and empathy. Teachers are a vital part of the educational system, responsible for nurturing the minds of the future. Tasked with educating and developing the child, including taking care of their emotional well-being. Therefore, it is paramount that teachers ought to have empathy. 

Empathy is the mastery of understanding and conveying the feelings of another. It is a fundamental skill for teachers to have, as it allows them to connect with their students on an emotional level. They can better understand their students’ feelings and challenges and provide support and guidance. Empathy also helps teachers create a safe, supportive learning environment for their kids. 

We have all been in classes where we either enjoyed the course or did not. And this was because some teachers made us feel confident, appreciated, and valued as students. And those are the same teachers we thank every day for allowing us to be ourselves and become who we are today!

By recognizing and responding to their students’ emotional needs, teachers can build trust and foster positive relationships. This will make students comfortable enough to take risks and be open to learning. Furthermore, empathy helps teachers be more adaptive to their student’s needs and learning styles. This adds to the previous paragraph. We are who we are today because a teacher believed we would someday change society, the world, or the universe. The last point is valid. Think of the scientists who put the Hubble telescope in space! Or the teachers who supported their students, and those very students made the Mars rover! 

They can better adjust their teaching strategies to meet the unique requirements of each student. It will help them to be more effective in helping students to reach their learning goals. Empathy also has a positive effect on student’s behaviour and academic performance. Students who feel understood and supported by their teachers. 

Here are five tips to help teachers have empathy for students

1. Get To Know Your Students

Take the time to get to know your students in person. Ask about their hobbies, interests, and goals. Knowing them in person means understanding them and getting a simple idea of their family and lives. All great movies about teachers who impacted their students are based solidly on this point.

2. Show You Care

Show your students you care about them by being patient and understanding. It is an attribute that cannot be faked. Youth today are well aware of who is nurturing and who is not. They respond very well to those who are understanding and patient. Sometimes you might think these kids are not listening to or paying attention to what you say. They might be acting up and being stubborn. It could be a cry out for help. Kids from troubled homes sometimes do not know how to react when someone genuinely cares for them.

3. Listen, Listen & Listen

Practice active listening when students speak, allowing them to express their feelings and perspectives. The devil is in the details, they say. Kids will open up to teachers they trust. Not at a topographic level, but more profound and more honest. That is because they see empathetic and kind teachers as trust ambassadors. They value the support they get and believe me. These kids do wonders. I know this because I live this and have been a student with some excellent teachers.

4. Acknowledge Each Student is Unique

Acknowledge each student's unique needs and abilities, and create an inclusive learning environment. This is a skill that very few teachers have. I say few because some teachers don't care for their students. I call them portions-driven teachers. And there are a few who are out there day in and day out, finding students that are diamonds in the rough and helping polish those gems.

5. Create Family & Teacher Partnership

Make an effort to understand each student's home and family life and create family-teacher partnerships. This is vital because a child's learning success lies in the league. The moment a child realizes that they will get support at home and school. Their interest level peak. Many brilliant children do not adhere to expected standards because normal does not challenge their intellect. Einstein is an example of this. 

Teachers should be a life-changing influencer for every child they come across. As they never know which child will change the world for the best! Be kind and let kids be.

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