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Writer's pictureTawnya Houghton

Compassion Continuum

When it is time to reflect on our educational practices during remote learning, what will be remembered?


“Compassion is the basis of morality.”― Arthur Schopenhauer


During a team meeting with teachers, one professional shared “I'm not sure where we would fall in the compassion continuum.” Since then I've been thinking about what that means and how as an educational leader we can bring this to focus. It can not be argued that we as teachers function under a wide brim of compassion in our day-to-day relationships with students. In our classrooms, we work to build a community that encourages students to show compassion to one another. But on a larger scale, how are schools approaching compassion during this trauma inducing pandemic?


Food, weekly phone calls, Zoom meetings, parades, Tiki Tok and YouTube videos are examples of ways teachers are attempting to connect with their students and families. What is the balance between the “business as usual” mindset and empathy for the grieving and adjustment process.


Change brings out different traits for people. Some like to plow ahead and handle change by making swift, actionable decisions. Others find they cope by withdrawing, watching and listening to the actions going on around them while they try to gather and process data before being able to take actions themselves. The compassion we show each other during this difficult time will be remembered. More than the student work completion or accuracy, the teachers will remember the youth’s response to their bids for engagement. Students will remember how teachers communicated with them and the feel of the conversation. When looking for images of "compassion" over 90% of them showed physical touch. How can we show compassion while standing at least 6 feet apart and wearing a mask?


Families need support from schools. Schools need interaction with families. What is the reciprocal amount needed? Are schools responding to the right need? During this time, we all are worried about loss of learning and also the impact that the pandemic will have at a social-emotional level. So, as schools look to the future, it will be helpful to reflect on the practices of the past few months and ask, “where do we fall on the compassion continuum?” From there, schools can think about what they will prioritize in their ongoing efforts to support students both academically and emotionally.







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