“Sometimes the smallest classroom moments hold the biggest truths about the human heart.”

Empathy in the classroom rarely arrives as a grand gesture. More often, it appears in the small, almost invisible moments that occupy the quiet spaces between confusion, mistakes, and sometimes hard feelings as well. We, the teachers at Sherwood High, nurture these vital moments with sincere effort, striving to make classrooms not just places of learning but also spaces of human connection.

If you ask teachers when empathy matters the most, the obvious answer won’t point to formal lesson plans or scheduled activities. Instead, it will likely be about the unexpected, unplanned instances- the ones that rise quietly and often vanish as quickly as they appear, yet leave a lasting impact. Personal experiences reveal just how powerful empathy can be in action.

One fine day in class, two best friends were crying angry tears over a misunderstood comment. Childhood friendships, cherished forever, can shatter so easily when hearts are still learning how to bend. The teacher could have scolded them and separated them. Instead, she said softly, “Tell me what happened- one at a time. I’m listening.” The sniffled voices- “I thought you didn’t want to be my friend anymore,” “I thought you didn’t care about me”- slowly calmed down, and the cute smiles returned.

In another instance, amidst a busy, messy classroom bustling with energy, assignments were being collected. Just then, a child who rarely spoke in class slowly stood at his table. “I forgot,” he whispered, eyes glistening. The class was surprised; some even exchanged a quick giggle. At that moment, all that mattered to the child was the teacher’s response.

The teacher listened and excused him in a soft tone, as it was his first time. The student realized that his voice mattered and that someone cared enough to listen. There are countless such moments where empathy leaves an indelible mark. It may not always solve problems or work as a strategy, but it certainly builds connections that last a lifetime.

Empathy doesn’t always ask, “What’s wrong?”
Sometimes, it simply says, “I’m here.”