Emphatic approach towards a positive classroom culture

WITH the diversity of students entering classrooms each day, paralleled by an increase in globalization, it's more necessary than ever for teachers to actively construct a positive classroom culture. One way to build a positive classroom culture is by understanding every learner and by showing that you care.

Many teachers simply assume they understand the student's problems and dilemmas, and mistakenly try to communicate their understanding in ways that only distance the student. For example, a female high school student once told a disappointed teacher that things were really hard at home and studying was difficult. The teacher responded by saying, "Well, you have to get past it and study anyway. I have been teaching for a long time, and there isn't any excuse I haven't heard." The student, of course, had no indication that the teacher understood at all and was actually discouraged by the teacher's unempathetic response.

If this teacher had taken the time to show that she understood the student's dilemma, she would have learned that the parents of the student were verbally fighting with each other every day, threatening each other with divorce, and arguing over custody of the children. They also fought about the father's drinking.

A lot of times, we just issue words we think are healing or helpful words but prove to be the harmful instead. It is important to learn empathic communication. Teachers hence have to work on their communication strategies. Often teachers hear but they don’t actually listen to their students’ stories.

The teacher could have easily encouraged the student with an empathetic response such as, "It must be really difficult trying to study while listening to your parents fighting and wondering what is going to happen with your family." Such a response would have communicated understanding to the student that she would have found valuable and that would have enhanced the level of respect she had for the teacher. Such a response also would have encouraged the student to communicate with the teacher so that the teacher and student could brainstorm ways to keep the student on task with her various academic assignments.

Developing an empathic approach is perhaps the most significant effort a teacher can make towards getting along and making students feel better. When you understand others, they'll probably want to understand you – and this is how you out how to get better. It should inform them about their progress. It should not judge, label, accuse, excuse, or even praise. It provides instructive knowledge that will enhance the student’s performance.

While teachers always need to be mindful of their choice of words, we must also be aware of the manner in which we communicate with our impressionable young learners. The adage, “It’s not so much about what you say as how you say it” bears so much truth. Students take cues from teachers on how to dialogue and speak, so use language that is appropriate and not too “hip.” Cursing is an can start to build cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork in the classroom. In dealing with students with problems, it is important to show empathy. Empathy is the power to understand perspectives other than your own. It is trying to understand what another person is feeling. It is seeing the world through another’s eyes and it helps people to get along better and to feel better.

Paying attention to the words we use, and the connotations associated with those words is an important issue we need to consider. As teachers we must be cautious of the way we respond to students’ problematic circumstances. Promoting empathy would entail the point of ordering the way statements are said, the words that are chosen, and the feelings behind it as these are of equal value as the ability to empathize itself. Harold C. Bacuso absolutely no-no, so make sure you practice taking the bad language out of your vocabulary before you get to school. You’d be surprised how many teachers have slipped up and said a word they definitely shouldn’t have in class.

Teachers can have a huge influence on their students. This goes much deeper than the lessons they teach. You only have to reflect on your own time in school to realize how positive or negative experiences can stick with you for the rest of your life. Educators need to remember that they hold great power over students in their hands. Jeanny W. Tiyab