Empathy is a foundational skill for success in both personal and professional settings. This module equips students with the ability to distinguish empathy from sympathy, engage in active listening, and consider others’ perspectives to build trusting, respectful relationships. By integrating the SBCSS Employability Skills into instruction, educators can help students foster emotional intelligence and strengthen interpersonal communication—critical components of workplace readiness.

Aligned to California’s Career Ready Practices, this content supports the development of relational and cultural competence through interactive lessons, reflection activities, and career-connected tasks. Students will explore how empathy shapes workplace interactions, leadership, and team collaboration. They will document their growth through career portfolio entries and practice using empathy in real-world scenarios, enhancing their readiness to contribute positively in diverse professional environments.

This page includes a teacher guide, student resources, and all necessary links to help implement the Empathy module, equipping students for success in school, work, and life.

The teacher guide, presentations, and worksheets have been adapted from Oregon Employability Skills and tailored to meet the needs of our region.