Compassion & Empathy
This past week, I had the opportunity to present professional development at a national conference. I spent time with participants explaining the reality of our current students and effective ways to engage them, reach them, and ultimately teach them. We unpacked the power of grit, tenacity, perseverance, and resilience, emphasizing the need to instill these characteristics in our students to ensure they become compassionate, empathetic, and mindful individuals.
As I reflect on this, I recognize that our teachers and leaders must bring these same qualities to their respective spaces each and every day. This is no easy feat. It takes true dedication to not let the mundane overwhelm you or the extraordinary overly excite you. It’s quite the balancing act. Showing up authentically while fostering relationships with students is no easy task. Thank you for being you and thank you for your service to the field of education - we are better because of it!
I know that summer break is here, but if you are anything like me, after the first few weeks of summer, you start thinking about the upcoming school year – reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, how to improve, and ensuring that everything you do is in the best interest of the students and the community you serve.
Our students (Gen Z and Gen A) often struggle with empathy and compassion. It’s not necessarily their fault – it’s just their lived reality. Technology and smart devices have taken over their world. They’re programmed to have no downtime, thus lacking the ability to reflect, be still, and be mindful. Research shows that there has been a 34% decrease in students’ ability to empathize with others since 2018. I can only imagine what the statistics will be in a few years. But, we can help.
As content teachers, we have a lot to cover. However, our Gen Z/Gen A students have an attention span of 8 seconds. How can we incorporate chunked lessons into our classrooms to cover content in a way that promotes critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and high levels of engagement while also teaching compassion and empathy?
Affirmations: Many students have negative self-talk from life experiences. Pausing for 2-3 minutes and encouraging students to write affirmations about themselves helps them see their own value. This exercise starts with “I am…” and includes positive words and sayings about oneself. I encourage students to write 18 affirmations and then share them with a partner. This helps cultivate a sense of belonging and a shared understanding among students.
Mindfulness: Quieting the mind and being still is important. This helps improve mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Integrating calm or low music can be beneficial.
Reflection: Our students often do not know how to reflect. At the end of each day, give a few prompts: “What did I learn today?” “What did I learn from my mistakes today?” “What is something new I did today?” Allow them the space to reflect and engage with critical questions about themselves and their development. This may take time and scaffolding, but it is critical for their growth.
These tasks are quick and simple ways to encourage compassion and empathy within the classroom.
There’s no doubt that the students we serve today are vastly different from those just a few years ago. But we cannot hope for the students of yesterday. We have to love the students we have, for I believe that every student in our classrooms was placed there for a specific purpose. It’s our responsibility to be the dealers of hope and belief, ensuring that they reach their full potential.
Friends, as we gear up for the 2024-2025 school year, I hope you take time to foster a sense of community within your students and spaces. I hope you get to know your students and build high levels of trust. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Thank you for showing up each and every day for your students and your community. Thank you for your perseverance, grit, tenacity, patience, and so many other star qualities as educators. Our field is better because of you, and your students are better because of you.
Have a great week and a restful summer.
Keep shining, friends!
Dr. C