Empathy, the Key to Transformative Teaching

The key to transformative teaching is empathy. Focusing on empathy for our students, parents, colleagues, and community members empowers us to educate and lead with a heart, rather than a curriculum. Seeing how others experience life and walking in their shoes enables us to make the authentic connections that lead to meaningful, lifelong growth. Without empathy, we may as well be talking heads with books in hand. With empathy, we ignite a spark within one another to learn and grow together, while taking risks in a mutually safe environment.

The first step toward empathy is leading with love. By allowing ourselves to lead with love, educators are more able to see everyone within and without the classroom for who they are as individuals. This open heart translates to acceptance of others’ life stories, cultures, and personal experiences. Leading with love promotes respect for all people and the messages they give and receive. Not only can do we hear what our students and parents have to say, we truly listen to the how and why behind the communications when we listen with an open heart. Yes, the first step toward building empathy is leading with love.

Next, to be an empathetic educator, one must allow for an open dialogue with all stakeholders within the community. This ability to communicate without judgement allows for thoughtful praise and gentle criticism occur, while simultaneously leaving blame and finger-pointing behind. The give and take is real and always leads to stronger relationships. Giving others the opportunity to express themselves, without jumping in to comment in return, is important toward building an open dialogue. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. An empathetic teacher knows that student and parent voices are powerful. Silencing these voices is counter-productive to the building of empathy, the cornerstone of community. Instead, letting others speak from their hearts builds trust and unity.

Open communication connects individuals to one another and leads to a safe place where all may grow, fail, and succeed. Once students and parents know that you truly want to hear what they have to say, respect builds, until a safe place to take risks is created. Within this safe place, teachers, students, and parents alike are infinitely more willing to try new things. Here, failure may occur without reproach. And failure is a stepping-stone toward authentic learning. Without our failures, we may as well be static, but with them, and the support of a compassionate community, we can reach new horizons together in a mutually shared, safe place.

When a student is truly heard, and looked upon with love, she, or he, is often willing to attempt what may have been previously thought as impossible. I know that I am more likely to try something new when my professor, or instructor, gets me. Who doesn’t want to learn from someone who cheers you on? By paving the way with empathy, educators are really building a road that leads to a limitless future for all involved. I know that my students far exceed expectations when they know that I care, that I listen, and when all of the exchanges between us take place in a safe, open environment.

All in all, empathy is the key for transformative teaching and learning. By allowing ourselves to lead with an open heart, dialogue honestly with students and all stakeholders in education, in a shared safe place, real life growth occurs for all involved, be it in a formal classroom setting, or beyond.