Empathy: Key To Educating Amidst COVID-19

Lea J. Aguilar

With the current COVID-19 pandemic going on around the world, there have been many changes and disruptions in nearly every aspect of daily life.

For many, change is difficult and with the added stresses and financial challenges, whether you have a job or not, many of us may be feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. The thought of the unknown and what’s going to happen next can affect our mental health as well.

One way in which we can combat the unknown is to show empathy towards others. There are many benefits to empathizing with others which may help you feel less alone and more connected with your loved ones and your community. In times of uncertainty, empathy allows us to reach out and help others who need it most.

As a teacher, I believe we should also cultivate this act of kindness towards our young learners who are coping with the new normal, stuck at home with their families, not being able to see their friends, and the endless distractions of their surroundings. Some students are also struggling to stay motivated and battling feelings of guilt for not being productive enough at home. Their parents, on the other hand, are also navigating through this difficult situation. So as their teacher, how can we show our students and their parents empathy?

One of the best ways is to communicate with them. As teachers, we can personally ask them how are they doing outside the current learning situation. Showing empathy and engaging in helpful actions can increase their feelings of connectedness. Moreover, we can also be empathetic by being flexible in how we treat deadlines and other school works. But of course, we should deal with this in a strict and professional way.

Another trait we should excercise especially now that we are battling a pandemic is kindness. Let’s focus on being kind to students and their perents. Let’s seek the positive in every way we can. Furthermore, it doesn’t hurt to be considerate. Sometimes, we are quick to criticize others without knowing their circumstances or without understanding their situation that impact their choices.

Lastly, let’s help our students, parents, and fellow teachers in any way we can, as simple as it is, it can make a difference. When the world feels unpredictable, we can find tangible ways to do good and make things better for others. This may provide comfort and a sense of control and empowerment and this is how we can practice empathy as teachers. Showing empathy during this pandemic not only opens our mind to what others are experiencing, but it also reminds us that we are in this together.

The author is Teacher

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III at Bacolor Elementary School Proper