Empathy Education NOW

We had a post planned for today, but in light of yesterday's events we're changing course. As a nation, we must do better. There is hope, and that hope is empathy education, which has the power to transform hearts and minds. We must teach our children to honor the pain of others, not to mock it. We must teach them that disagreement need not lead to hate, disorder, and violence. We must teach them that dignity and respect are not optional--not in how we treat others or how we behave ourselves. We can do it; Chicago Public Schools school counselor Sam Uribe has seen it first hand. Read her moving account of what happened with one troubled student at Haugan Elementary School last year, and imagine the possibilities. The time for empathy education is NOW.

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A student who had participated in inappropriate behaviors in another 4th grade classroom was issued multiple detentions for this behavior and even suspended both in school and out of school. This student was deemed to be a "problem," and teachers were told to keep not one but two eyes always on this student as both his words and hands were getting him into trouble constantly and on a daily basis. I had known and had been working with this student for over two years as his school counselor. I know that the child has an unfavorable home life and simply wants to fit in desperately. After being shuffled from one classroom to the next and him not quite fitting in, he was eventually transferred to the classroom that was participating in The Nora Project. 

“This student was deemed to be a “problem,” and teachers were told to keep not one but two eyes always on this student as both his words and hands were getting him into trouble constantly and on a daily basis.”

“But then I caught myself and as quickly as these questions raced into my mind, they vanished, because that is what The  Nora Project is ALL about. It is about the students who struggle to “fit in,” getting the opportunity to “fit in.” ”

I have to admit I was nervous by this move. Many thoughts ran through my mind, was he going to "fit in" with our theme and positive movement in kindness, empathy and inclusivity. Was he going to tear down what the teachers, students and myself worked so hard to build by being patient, caring and informative on disability awareness and sensitivity? But then I caught myself and as quickly as these questions raced into my mind, they vanished, because that is what The  Nora Project is ALL about. It is about the students who struggle to "fit in," getting the opportunity to "fit in." 

And just as I suspected, the students gave him many opportunities to do just that. There was no need for me to poke, incentivize, or initiate the students into being kind, inclusive and welcoming to the student that they had heard so much about during recess and lunch. Effortlessly this student simply fit in with his peers and he did more than just that, he never received another disciplinary infraction upon entering this classroom and participating in The Nora Project. He amazed his teachers and himself on his ability to learn self-control, that kindness is contagious  and being inclusive to others is easier than being invasive to one's space. 

“He amazed his teachers and himself on his ability to learn self-control, that kindness is contagious  and being inclusive to others is easier than being invasive to one’s space. ”

I hope that everyone gets the opportunity to witness at some point in their careers the transformation of a student's social and emotional growth similar to how I was able to do so, all thanks to The Nora Project, their curriculum, team of educators and incredible support.