Description
How do we help students move beyond kindness and develop true understanding of others' perspectives? What does empathy actually look like at different grade levels—and how can it be intentionally taught? Empathy is a critical skill that supports classroom culture, collaboration, and academic success across content areas. Research shows that students who practice perspective-taking and active listening are better equipped to engage in meaningful learning and respectful discourse. Join Lauren Boucher as she explores empathy as a teachable classroom skill, not just a personality trait. This workshop breaks down what empathy looks like in early elementary, late elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, highlighting observable student behaviors at each level. Educators will learn discussion protocols, reflection routines, and tech-supported strategies that help students practice perspective-taking, active listening, and thoughtful response—without adding "one more thing" to their plates. The focus is on embedding empathy into everyday instruction in any subject area. This is workshop one of six for the series titled "Teaching the Skills That Outlast the Lesson."
Objectives
Identify key components of empathy and why it matters in classroom learning. Explain how empathy supports collaboration, classroom culture, and student engagement. Implement discussion protocols and routines that foster empathy in daily instruction. Examine student behaviors to determine how empathy is demonstrated at various grade levels. Assess the effectiveness of empathy-building strategies within classroom practices. Design learning activities that intentionally embed empathy across subjects and grade levels.
