Empathy Leads to Equity

I have talked a lot about empathy in blog posts over the years. I strongly feel that teaching students how to understand and care for a person whose experiences are different than their own is one of the most important things that we can ever teach a student, yet isn't found in a curriculum. Without a doubt, the best way to teach this is to model it and as we have changed classes and students for the new semester, I have had the opportunity to see this in action. 

Since the start of the semester, many of you have gained students with different needs. Students that do not speak English. Students in a wheelchair. Students with extreme situations outside of school that impact their ability to be successful in school. It doesn't take long to notice these students. Physical differences are quickly seen and a teacher with little experience can spot a struggling student. Understanding their condition is great, but taking action based on that understanding is impressive. This week I have had requests for desks, manipulatives, and grace in grading from teachers that recognized that a new student in their n classroom would need something different to be successful this semester. I absolutely love that. Pushing beyond the recognition and toward a solution that provides a student with something that will level their playing field is exactly what equity is all about. Hats off to those of you that recognized a difficulty and sprung to action for the benefit of a student. It's what teaching is really all about.