Unlocking Empathy: The Role of Social Awareness in Educator Well-Being
- Crystal Tomlinson
- Sep 21, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 30, 2024
As educators, we must spend so much of our time on academic content, differentiation, student behavior, and meeting standards - but the most crucial skill to feeling more positive in the classroom, both for our students and ourselves is the third of the five SEL Competencies: Social Awareness. Yes, it's easy to overlook when the demands of the day-to-day overwhelm us and we are bombarded with divisive language and propaganda.
As a consultant throughout the years, I've seen this first-hand. When I'm problem-solving with teams it becomes apparent that a great place to start is with some empathy, active listening, and reflecting on interactions. That's my passive way of saying sometimes it's not just about modifying a student's behavior but also working on our own SEL skills. We have to stop getting stuck in theory and focus more on the practice.
I strive to provide concrete tools to implement SEL in real time. I want you to have practical strategies that you can put into action today without the overwhelm. This is important to me because it's what I was always jonesing for when I had PD opportunities or when evaluating resources.
Why It Matters
So, why does social awareness matter to educator well-being? When we understand and empathize with the emotions and perspectives of others, we become better at navigating stress, conflict, and even burnout. Social awareness enhances our ability to build meaningful relationships and cultivate emotional intelligence. Both are vital to maintaining a balanced and positive teaching environment. It mattered to me when I started to become more trauma-informed and mindful of my mindsets and practices. I'm that person who needs evidence and social awareness brings the recieipts.
The Brain Science Behind Social Awareness
Social Awareness is more than just a soft skill - it's rooted in neuroscience. The three key players in the social awareness game are mirror neurons, the amygdala, and the PFC. As you know by now, the amygdala has mad hijack skills due to its main job which is to keep you "safe" or alive. So, let's start with our mirror neuron system which allows us to pick up on other's emotions and experiences, even without words. Think body language for starters. It's like an ability to "read the room" kind of thing. However, in those stressful environments or situations, the amygdala hijacks this process and we usually react rather than respond. That's why when we are burnt out or overwhelmed, our social awareness skills drop. It's hard not to match that freak.
This can sound like a lost cause though since we know how easily our detectors get set off. Darn instincts! But the hope is in building and strengthening our social awareness game. We promote this with our students all the time, through things like empathy, listening skills, collaboration, hypothesizing, problem-solving, character analysis, persuasive writing, Venn diagrams, text annotations, and many other ways. We can't forget about our skills as well. So when we develop our social awareness, we activate our pre-frontal cortex which allows us to pause, reflect, and respond in challenging situations. The pre-frontal cortex is responsible for decision-making and self-control. It's essential for managing stress and maintaining emotional balance. For me, I sort of learned to "feel" this shift which made pausing and responding much easier.
Practical Places To Start
1. Educator Social Awareness Self-Assessment
Before diving into the "so what can I do about it?", it's essential to assess your own level of awareness and where you may need support. Keep in mind, that this 10-question tool provides practice and self-reflection and should lead to celebrations and growth opportunities. Being honest is necessary. Reflect on how well you notice and respond to social cues from others.
Do you love Canva as much as me? If so, here is link to the self-assessment doc
2. Mindful Listening: Really Tune In
What it is - Mindful listening is about being fully present during a conversation. It involves a sacrifice of giving up distractions (phone, emails, to-do lists) and truly focusing on the person speaking. You create a deeper connection by tuning in to not only their words but also their tone, body language, and emotions. Or you at least make the other person get the vibe that you are giving them your attention. I was recently in an interview for a position I was perfect for and was sort of excited about. From the start of the interview, it was apparent that the team's mind was elsewhere and some seemed very disinterested. Many kept looking at their Apple watches, all computers were open, others interrupted and people came in and out. I blame it on distractions and lack of boundaries. I do not want to work for the people who can't give me 15 minutes. I can empathize but sorry not sorry. Build those social awareness skills please if you are in leadership.
How it helps with burnout - When you're fully present, you're more likely to understand the emotions behind what's being said, reducing misunderstandings and emotional exhaustion caused by miscommunication. You're also less likely to feel rushed and frustrated in interactions.
Practical Tip - Pause and set an intention to give each person your distraction-free attention for at least one minute during conversations this week. A great cue for this could be a sticky note that says "Listen First, Speak Second" on your computer or somewhere in your space as a reminder for your brain. Or...hear me out... this sticker would work great too!
2. Empathy Check-ins: Reflecting After Interactions
What it is - Empathy check-ins involve taking a moment after an interaction to reflect on how the other person might be feeling. This practice helps educators understand the emotional state of the student, parent, colleague, or even themselves. This has nothing to do with "excusing" the action. This is about building a healthy habit that after a while becomes more automatic during those challenging interactions. Empathy is not about fixing or solving someone's feelings but acknowledging and respecting them.
How it can help with burnout - Often, burnout stems from emotional overload - trying to juggle your own emotions along with everyone else's. These check-ins allow you to take a step back, observe, and respond rather than react. This helps build emotional boundaries and feel less drained. It's easy to move on without taking a moment to reflect in the fast-paced environment of teaching. I love when job descriptions put "must thrive in a fast-paced environment." Really? Ok. I'm sure it is not comparable to teaching, especially in 2024. 🤪
Practical Tips - After a challenging conversation, take 2 minutes to jot down what emotions might have been present. Or start each class with a quick self-reflection. A sticky note could prompt this reflection with questions like
What feelings did I observe?
What's not being said?
What's one word to describe your energy right now?
What's something you wish somone understood about your day today?
Or you could grab this sticker, which is even better!
3. Visual Cues for The Win: Social Awareness Reminders
What it is - Use simple visual cues, like sticky notes, stickers, graphics on slides, and notifications, to keep social awareness front and center in your day. These can be gentle reminders to pause, reflect, and engage mindfully with those around you.
How it can help with burnout - In the heat of a busy day, it's easy to slip into autopilot and lose those social connections. Visual reminders pull you out of that autopilot mode, NUDGING you to stay aware of your own feelings and those of others.
Practical Tips - Stick a few of these in places you see most often and watch how your brain changes and how they can also be great reminders for others. Reflect at the end of each day on how they helped shift your perspective in any way.
This One Is Just For Fun Because IYKYK and We All Need This! I was always the worst with attendance even with interventions 🤪
Let's Wrap It Up
Incorporating social awareness into your daily routine doesn't have to be overwhelming. Small shifts in how we listen, respond, and empathize can transform not only our own well-being but also the atmosphere of the space we share with others, By practicing mindful reflection and thoughtful interaction, you’re not only enhancing your own self-management but also modeling emotional intelligence for those around you. I get so frustrated when I see teachers expect things out of students that they don't expect from themselves.
Want to dive deeper into educator well-being and practical strategies for social-emotional growth? Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for exclusive tips, resources, and updates on my upcoming course designed to help educators prevent burnout and build resilience. Stay tuned for more actionable insights to support your journey toward balance and well-being.
Remember, The Little Things Do Matter
Mindfully Yours,
Crystal @msttalks
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