TL;DR: Our learners’ behavior is an important form of communication. Consider and revise your responses to student behavior to be more empathetic. Don’t assume how a learner is feeling; ask them directly. Validate your students’ feelings to ensure they feel heard and understood. During my first year teaching, I spent countless hours learning, planning, and creating. I loved every second … Read More
The Power of Empathy
TL;DR: This post shares the power of empathy; empathy has the power to heal and create connections. Relationships promote growth, are a source of inspiration and motivation, and allow people to share struggles and celebrations. Four attributes of empathy include perspective taking, staying out of judgment, recognizing emotion in another person, and communicating that you can recognize that emotion. I … Read More
Tired of Teaching to a Blank Screen? Start Teaching with Empathy
TL;DR: The decrease in interaction and participation rate with students in a virtual setting has been an issue but when we plan with empathy, it may make a difference. Make lessons more interesting or entertaining by adding music in the beginning or during your lesson, turning students into active participants by giving them a role, providing breaks or sending students … Read More
First-Year Assistant Principal: Pandemic Style
TL;DR: The pandemic caused uncertainties at the beginning of the school year, but leaders must still lead by figuring out a plan to serve and keeping students at the center of our focus. Effective leadership means you communicate regularly, listen attentively, offer empathy and support, and meet people’s needs with flexibility and adaptability. Courageous, strong leadership is necessary to ease … Read More
It starts with grace, but it doesn’t end there.
Neither judgment nor grace requires knowing the full story. Empathy does. Focus on an empathetic lens, but know that empathy requires taking action. Empathy involves accountability; it involves expectations, but it also involves support, growth, reflection, and requires a relationship. Before you start reading this looking for answers to problems or solutions to struggles, let me be very honest with … Read More
