Teacher-Student Connections: The Role of Empathy in Education

The educational landscape is a diverse and evolving one, and the notion that academic success cannot be separated from social-emotional development has become more broadly accepted among educators over time.

At the heart of this integrative approach is an often overlooked and/or misunderstood skill: empathy, a fundamental aspect of effective human interaction, and a catalyst for meaningful teacher-student connections.

Empathy in education transcends routine kindness to encompass an intentional and cognitive effort to understand and respond to students’ emotional and cognitive experiences.

As the demands on the world’s education systems, and teachers, become more complex, empathy is essential for cultivating inclusive, equitable, and effective learning environments.

At Interac, our mission is to enrich people’s lives through the sharing of languages and cultures, bringing the world closer together — one student, one school, one community at a time. In this article, we explore the multifaceted role of empathy in education, offering an analysis of its nature, application, and transformative potential.

Understanding empathy

Many of us think we know and practice empathy quite naturally, and, at times, we do.

However, in reality, under the pressures of everyday life, many of us can lapse into negative behaviours without realising, even when we mean well. So, it’s important to take a moment to understand what empathy actually is.

Empathy is commonly defined as the capacity to understand, resonate with, and respond to the feelings and perspectives of others. It comprises both affective and cognitive dimensions:

• affective empathy involves sharing another’s emotional experience,
• while cognitive empathy entails intellectually grasping their point of view.

In educational settings, both forms are absolutely essential. As consistent figures of authority, teachers must interpret students’ verbal and non-verbal cues, recognise their struggles, and respond appropriately. Not merely react emotionally, but thoughtfully adjust their behaviour and pedagogy in light of what they understand about their students’ inner experiences.

Psychologists like Carl Rogers have long emphasised the importance of empathetic understanding in person-centred approaches to practices, like therapy, that can be applied to teaching.

In the classroom, empathy becomes a pedagogical tool as well as an ethical imperative, influencing not only how educators teach, but also how they lead, mentor, and discipline.

Empathy is, therefore, not a soft skill in the pejorative sense, but a sophisticated interpersonal competence fundamental to professional teaching practice.

Empathy in education

The natural relationship between education and empathy

Education, at its core, is a relational and transformative endeavour. On the surface, or to an untrained eye, learning is merely the transfer of knowledge. But, fundamentally, education is the co-construction of meaning between teacher and students, students and peers.

Empathy facilitates this process by enabling educators to connect with students as whole persons — emotionally, intellectually, and culturally. Teachers who understand their students’ perspectives can better tailor instruction, provide relevant feedback, and create a psychologically safe environment where learners feel valued, and, therefore, respected. Students who feel valued and respected are more likely to engage, too.

Empathy also aligns with key educational goals: promoting critical thinking, moral development, and social responsibility. These objectives are best realised in environments where empathy is modelled and practiced. For example, collaborative learning and restorative classroom practices depend heavily on students’ and teachers’ capacity to empathise.

Why empathy in education is important

Empathy enhances the educational experience on multiple levels.

• Pedagogically, it informs differentiated instruction and supports inclusive education by acknowledging the unique needs and backgrounds of each student.
• Socially, it builds trust, reduces conflict, and promotes a positive classroom climate.
• Psychologically, it nurtures student motivation, self-esteem, and emotional regulation.

From a developmental perspective, children, and adolescents are still learning how to manage emotions and interpret social situations. Teachers who model empathy contribute significantly to students’ emotional literacy and interpersonal skills, providing a framework for children to bridge across cultural divides, support equity and reduce bias as they grow older.

The empathetic teacher

So, we understand empathy, but how do we enact it, what does an empathetic teacher look like?

What empathy looks like

Empathy in teaching is visible through behaviours such as active listening, patience, appropriate emotional expression, and adaptive responses to student needs.

An empathetic teacher:

• uses open-ended questions to invite student voice,
• practices perspective-taking when students struggle,
• and refrains from quick judgments.

Such teachers also create inclusive classroom routines, anticipate learning challenges, and offer encouragement and constructive feedback.

Contrary to what you may assume, empathy also influences disciplinary practices. Rather than punitive responses, empathetic teachers engage in dialogue, seek to understand underlying causes of behaviour, and collaboratively develop solutions. These approaches affirm students’ dignity and promote accountability in a supportive way.

What empathy does not look like

To understand empathy in its truest educational form, it is equally important to clarify what it is not. Empathy should not be confused with sympathy, which often involves feeling for someone rather than with them.

In an educational setting, sympathy is not proactive, and can unintentionally create a sense of distance or condescension, reinforcing hierarchical dynamics between teacher and student rather than contributing to mutual understanding.

Empathy also does not mean lowering academic or behavioural expectations. It is not a permissive attitude that avoids discipline or challenge. Instead, empathetic teaching sustains high standards while simultaneously offering the appropriate support and encouragement students need to succeed.

Furthermore, empathy is not emotional over-involvement. While empathetic teachers are emotionally attuned to their students, they maintain professional boundaries to protect their own mental and emotional health.

We’re not superhuman, and true empathy in education includes self-regulation and reflective practice. Seasoned, effective teachers care deeply, but learn to balance emotional attunement with professional objectivity — this balance is crucial for them to sustain their well-being and effectiveness over time.

The benefits of empathetic teaching

The ripple effects of empathy in education extend beyond individual interactions.

Empathetic teaching practices yield tangible benefits for both teachers and students, enhancing the learning process, classroom culture, and personal growth on both sides of the relationship.

For the student

For students, the presence of an empathetic teacher can be truly life-changing. Research indicates that students who perceive their teachers as empathetic demonstrate:

• higher engagement,
• improved social-emotional skills,
• and better self-esteem and mental wellbeing.

Feeling understood and supported, they are more likely to participate actively, take intellectual risks, and persist through challenges — everything a child needs to receive a good education.

Demonstrating empathy also builds a sense of belonging and respect, particularly crucial for marginalised or at-risk students, who may not feel respected and heard by the dominant society, or, unfortunately, in their home. When students feel seen and heard, they are more likely to attend school regularly, trust authority figures, and develop positive peer relationships.

For the teacher

Teachers who cultivate empathy can experience increased job satisfaction and a stronger sense of purpose. Here’s how:

• Understanding students more deeply can reduce frustration, improve classroom management, and foster more rewarding interpersonal interactions.
• Empathy also facilitates reflective practice, enabling educators to adjust their methods based on students’ feedback and experiences.
• Importantly, empathy helps mitigate teacher burnout. In promoting meaningful connections and reducing the adversarial dynamics that can accompany rigid or authoritarian teaching styles, empathetic educators are more likely to sustain their passion and commitment over time.

Conclusion: empathy takes effort, and it’s worth it

What should be emphasised is that empathy in education is not always an innate trait but a deliberate and sustained practice.

It requires self-reflection, cultural humility, emotional intelligence, and ongoing commitment to make an impact. While the demands on educators are significant, the rewards of empathetic teaching — for students, teachers, and the broader educational community — can be profound.

As schools navigate an increasing complex world, cultivating empathy must be prioritised alongside academic rigour. It is the empathy-driven teacher who not only imparts knowledge but inspires transformation. And, while it takes effort, it is effort worth making.

Make an impact with Interac

Interac is Japan’s largest provider of professional foreign teachers to the Japanese government through its ALT programs.

Our ALTs influence Japanese children through teaching, cross-cultural exchange, and mentorships, all whilst immersing themselves in Japanese culture, excelling in their careers and making memories and connections to last a lifetime.

If you’d like to learn more about what it takes to be an ALT, and how you could gain the opportunity to live and teach in Japan, check out our application process, or speak to a member of our team.