Empathy without Action? That's the Real Problem!
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
03/02/26
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In Part One of our S5E27 @schoolutionspodcast conversation, Dr. Chris Hass challenges our understanding of empathy, suggesting that simply feeling emotions might not lead to substantive change. This conversation delves into emotional intelligence, highlighting how moving beyond mere feelings to tangible actions is vital for social justice in childhood.
Chris is an assistant professor at James Madison University and co-author of From Empathy to Action with Katie Kelly and Lester Laminack. He asks us to consider whether teaching kids to feel empathy is actually getting in the way of real change.
Dr. Hass also introduces the three forms of empathy: emotional, cognitive, and compassionate, and explains why compassionate empathy is the one that actually moves students from caring to doing. You'll hear the remarkable true story of second and third graders who researched gender representation in street signs, presented to their city mayor and city council, and helped get a street renamed after Columbia's first Black female doctor.
This episode is for anyone who believes students are capable of more than we give them credit for — and wants the tools to prove it.
🎧 Part Two drops Friday, where we tackle the skeptics, scripted curricula, and nervous caregivers head-on.
From Chris: Using Literacy Instruction to Develop Student Activists & Empathy thru Education
Some episode mentions & resources:
📚 Book mentioned: From Empathy to Action by Chris Hass, Katie Kelly, & Lester Laminack
👩🏫 Researcher mentioned: Vivian Vasquez (critical literacy in early childhood)
📖 Books mentioned: Text, Lies & Videotape by Patrick Shannon
Chapters:
0:00 — Introduction: The empathy paradox
1:00 — About Schoolutions Podcast & Dr. Chris Hass
2:00 — Vivian Vasquez & what education could be
4:30 — Why feeling bad isn't the same as taking action
7:00 — Three forms of empathy explained
9:00 — What holds students (and adults) back from action
11:30 — Teaching into fear and discomfort
13:00 — The street sign project: second graders before city council
18:00 — How to structure inquiry-based action projects
21:00 — The fairytale study: when outcomes surprise you
24:00 — Lightning round: mistakes, literacy, and advice for new teachers
28:00 — The power of mentor texts & critical text sets
30:30 — Preview of Part Two
🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content.
📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl
Don't forget to🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators!
#Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter #EmpathyToAction
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
This March, @schoolutionspodcast brings you 5 powerful conversations designed to inspire change in education, build hope, offer leadership skills, and transform how we show up for children, families, and communities. Whether you're an educator, school leader, or advocate, these discussions will meet you where you are.
🎙️ Here's what's coming this March:
✅ Dr. Chris Hass opens the month by exploring how empathy becomes action. This is a must-watch for anyone committed to student success and education transformation.
✅ Erin Patterson from SchoolHouse Connection returns to share landmark wins with Congress on behalf of children and families experiencing homelessness. Erin's work a powerful example of equity in education and family partnerships in action.
✅ Dr. Kris Nystrom, joining us from Africa, shares his inspiring work to end school deserts. It's a conversation rooted in instructional leadership, school improvement, and whole child thinking.
✅ Tonya Quinn from The Kindness Art Education introduces us to Portrait Pals. It's a beautiful project where children paint each other's portraits and learn through story. This is culturally responsive teaching, inclusive classrooms, and a pro-kid mindset at its finest.
✅ Dr. Fabi Bagula shares about the Affordable Fair Housing Initiative being put into place on behalf of San Diego Unified School District teachers. Their community is focused on home-school connection, caregiver support, and equity in education in a real and tangible way.
These conversations are for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, and school counselors who believe in the power of empowered educators and thriving students.
Join us this March. We can't wait to see you. 💙
🔔 Subscribe for education approaches that prioritize pro-kid mindset, inclusive teaching, and student participation!
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📚 CHAPTERS
0:00 — Introduction: 5 Conversations to Inspire Action
0:30 — Dr. Chris Hass: Turning Empathy Into Action
1:00 — Erin Patterson: Landmark Wins for Homeless Children & Families
1:30 — Dr. Kris Nystrom: Ending School Deserts
2:00 — Tonya Quinn: Portrait Pals & Culturally Responsive Learning
2:30 — Dr. Fabi Bagula: Affordable Fair Housing for San Diego Unified School District Teachers
3:00 — Join Us This March!
#Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter #StudentSuccess #EquityInEducation #EmpoweredEducators #InclusiveClassrooms #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #SchoolLeadership #TeacherCoaching #InstructionalLeadership #ProKidMindset #WholeChild #FamilyPartnerships #HomeschoolConnection #EducationTransformation #SchoolImprovement #ThrivingStudents #ChildHomelessness #SchoolDeserts #FairHousing #PortraitPals #TheSmartSolutions #March2026 #InspiredTeaching #TeacherSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #SchoolCulture
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
What does it really mean to be empathetic, and are we teaching kids the right kind?
In this reel, Dr. Chris Hass breaks down the 3 Forms of Empathy every educator, parent, and school leader needs to understand and why most people stop at the first one. Whether you're focused on classroom belonging, student engagement, or building a stronger school culture, this short snip from our conversation will reshape how you think about connection in your classroom and community.
We explore:
- Emotional Empathy: recognizing how someone feels
- Cognitive Empathy: understanding *why* they feel that way
- Compassionate Empathy: the form that actually moves us to act
The difference between feeling sorry for a student and doing something meaningful for them is everything. This is the shift that separates reactive teaching from inspiring students and creating thriving students who feel seen, heard, and supported.
For more information, get Chris's book, From Empathy to Action (co-authored with Katie Kelly and Lester Laminack)
👇 Watch, reflect, and share with your team. 🚀📚 Part 1 & Part Two of our @schoolutionspodcast S5E27 interview.
🕐 CHAPTERS
0:00 - Introduction: Why Empathy Matters in Education
0:45 - What Most People Get Wrong About Empathy
1:30 - Form #1: Emotional Empathy: Feeling What Others Feel
2:15 - Form #2: Cognitive Empathy: Understanding the Root Cause
3:00 - Form #3: Compassionate Empathy: Empathy That Moves You to Act
4:10 - What Compassionate Empathy Looks Like in the Classroom
5:00 - The Difference Between Solving Problems and Being Present
5:45 - How Empathy Drives Student Success and School Culture
📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl
Don't forget to🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators!
#Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter #CuriosityDriven #EvidenceBased #ClassroomReadyStrategies #EmpathyInEducation #ClassroomBelonging #StudentEngagement #TeachingTips #InstructionalCoaching #SchoolCulture #EffectiveTeaching #StudentMotivation #CompassionateEmpathy #InclusiveClassrooms #WholeChild #StudentSuccess #EmpoweredEducators #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #EquityInEducation #ProKidMindset #TeacherSupport #SchoolLeadership #EducationTransformation #TeacherImpact #FamilyPartnerships #ParentCommunication #InspiringStudents #NewTeachers #ProfessionalDevelopment #InstructionalLeadership #SchoolImprovement #ActiveLearning #ThrivingStudents #InspiredTeaching
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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