Empathy:

A person’s emotional and intellectual reactions to the experiences of another.  It involves feeling genuine concern and compassion for others (emotional), and being able to truly take someone else’s perspective (intellectual).

Importance for African American Students:

Studies have shown that teachers, doctors, police officers and others are more likely to underestimate Black people’s pain, and less likely to believe Black people should be treated lightly, or given the benefit of the doubt.  This often correlates with arrests, prison sentences, medical treatments, student feedback, and school discipline.  

Moreover, given what we know about ACEs and Black students’ historical context, some empathy could be very helpful, even restorative.

Sociocultural Awareness:

An understanding of, and a genuine respect for student’s social, cultural, familial, political, and psychological contexts.  

Importance for African American Students:

Though Black students are not monolithic, and different children will need different things, generally, Black people do have a unique, historical perspective when it comes to social justice, racism, equity, civil and human rights, and broader ideas of community, culture, politics, justice, fairness, the application of rules and laws, etc.  A teacher who understands and respects this will be seen as an ally by their students of color, especially by older students.  If it is genuine, he or she will stand out to those students.

Warm and Strict:

A balanced combination of positivity and kindness, right alongside consistency and firmness.  As LeMov (2010) suggests, gap-closing teachers are strict and warm, not strict or warm.

Importance for African American Students:

Being warm is precisely what gives teachers the cache, store credit, and license to be strict.  Nationally, African American students receive more and harsher punitive treatment than their peers.  When we start with warmth, and consistently couple strictness with warmth, Black students respond better and do better.

Caring Relationships:

Relationships wherein teachers feel a deep sense of responsibility for and an affinity toward their students, almost as if they were their own children.  In turn, that motivates teachers to demand the best of the children before them.  In return, highly cared-for students feel a responsibility to not let their teacher’s down, to be the best that they can be, and often achieve more.

Importance for African American Students:

In interview research, Black students have repeatedly listed caring teachers as their best instructors.  Remember that all of our brains are hardwired to seek care, safety, and belonging.  Yet, Black students rarely report feeling cared for or safe at school.