Developing Empathy as Practice | Stephanie Briggs | TEDxBergenCommunityCollege

Summary

In this inspiring transcript, a professor from Baltimore's community college shares their experience integrating contemplative pedagogy and mindfulness into their English classes. They introduce empathy exercises, such as the 'I see you' practice, to foster understanding and connection among students. The class delves into community exploration through photography, prompting students to engage with their neighborhoods and consider change. The narrative highlights the transformative power of empathy, as students learn to see beyond stereotypes and connect with marginalized individuals, ultimately developing a deeper sense of compassion and self-awareness.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The professor has been incorporating contemplative pedagogy or mindfulness into their English classes for 15 years, aiming to create a more engaging and reflective learning environment.
• 🧘 Mindfulness is defined as paying attention in a certain way, on purpose, without judgment, which is a key practice in the class.
• 📸 Students are encouraged to explore their communities through photography, capturing images that represent beauty, difficulty, needed changes, and personal shaping experiences.
• 🤝 The 'I see you' practice, or ICU practice, is used to build acknowledgment and connection among students, fostering a sense of community and empathy.
• 🏘️ The class activities are designed to make students actively engage with their communities, prompting them to reflect on and potentially address local issues.
• 🌱 Empathy is a central theme, defined as being present with oneself or another without judgment, aiming to understand and connect with others' experiences.
• 📈 The course includes a research paper component where students delve into the lives of marginalized people, challenging preconceived notions and promoting understanding.
• 🔍 Students are tasked with creating a PowerPoint presentation to represent marginalized groups, which involves emotional engagement and contemplation.
• 🌟 The professor's approach is not just about academic learning but also about personal growth, as students learn about empathy, compassion, and themselves.
• 💬 The class concludes with a powerful message from the students, emphasizing the importance of seeing and acknowledging each other's existence.

Q & A

What is the main teaching approach used by the professor in the English department at a community college in Baltimore?

The professor incorporates contemplative pedagogy or mindfulness into the classes, focusing on paying attention in a certain way on purpose without judgment.

How does the professor define empathy in the context of the classroom?

Empathy is defined as being present with yourself or another person without changing what they believe or anything about what they believe.

What is the ICU practice mentioned in the script?

The ICU practice is a simple exercise where students make eye contact with each other, acknowledge each other's existence, and audibly say 'I see you' to one another.

What assignment did the professor give to the students to explore their community?

The students were asked to take photographs of their community with their cellphones, focusing on four aspects: what is beautiful, what is difficult, what needs to change, and what has shaped them in their community.

How does the professor use mindfulness techniques to help students manage anxiety or stress?

The professor teaches a one-minute meditation or mindfulness practice where students take deep breaths and count their breaths to calm down and compose themselves.

What was the students' initial reaction to the idea of going into their community to make changes?

The students initially melted down, expressing concern and resistance to the idea of engaging with their community in such a direct way.

Can you provide an example of how the students were encouraged to engage with their community?

Students were encouraged to say 'hi' to people they see, pick up garbage on their block, or simply listen to an old man who had stories to share about the community.

How did the practice of the ICU at Home Depot impact one of the students?

One student practiced the ICU at Home Depot and, after initially receiving strange reactions, ended up making a meaningful connection with a customer who thanked her for seeing her.

What was the focus of the research paper that the students worked on at the end of the semester?

The research paper focused on marginalized people and groups, exploring how to evaluate and write about them with empathy and understanding.

What was the final message the students wanted to share with the audience?

The final message from the students was a simple yet powerful statement of acknowledgment and empathy: 'I see you.'