Roots of Empathy
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Interview With Sharon You
Teacher, Peel Public School Board
Special Ed Teacher in Contained Class and Support Teacher
By Stephen Orticello
Q: How many years have you been teaching and have you worked with EA's?
A: I have been teaching in Peel for 15 years and in that time have worked with 10 EA's.
Q: Have you worked directly with children who have special needs?
A: Yes, some with hearing difficulties, some were short in stature requiring special equipment to use school equipment such as lockers and the washroom, however most of my work was spent alongside EA's who were working with my students.
Q: With the EA's you have worked with, what approaches have you found to be the most effective?
A: It's true that everyone works with children differently, with their own approach and ideas. The EA’s who show the most empathy and compassion definitely achieve greater results with their students. Many people empathize with a special needs student but having compassion propels us to engage with the child, ask questions, lower our voice and listen. This has an amazing effect, especially on kids with behavioural issues, but all children respond to this. Being genuine goes a long way.
Q: When an EA continuously expresses empathy, what long term effects do you notice on the student?
A: I have always noticed how a student’s interest, resilience, patience and communication improves immensely when empathy is used. But at the least, empathizing with a student who struggles, with self-esteem issues for example, can lead to the EA finding great ways to help lift the student over time.
A: I have been teaching in Peel for 15 years and in that time have worked with 10 EA's.
Q: Have you worked directly with children who have special needs?
A: Yes, some with hearing difficulties, some were short in stature requiring special equipment to use school equipment such as lockers and the washroom, however most of my work was spent alongside EA's who were working with my students.
Q: With the EA's you have worked with, what approaches have you found to be the most effective?
A: It's true that everyone works with children differently, with their own approach and ideas. The EA’s who show the most empathy and compassion definitely achieve greater results with their students. Many people empathize with a special needs student but having compassion propels us to engage with the child, ask questions, lower our voice and listen. This has an amazing effect, especially on kids with behavioural issues, but all children respond to this. Being genuine goes a long way.
Q: When an EA continuously expresses empathy, what long term effects do you notice on the student?
A: I have always noticed how a student’s interest, resilience, patience and communication improves immensely when empathy is used. But at the least, empathizing with a student who struggles, with self-esteem issues for example, can lead to the EA finding great ways to help lift the student over time.
How empathetic are you? Take our empathy quiz!!
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/14
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/14