We all need empathy to drive innovation

Empathy and innovation led me to the classroom as a second career. Along the way, I’ve embraced every opportunity to learn about community and culture by listening with humility. At the Children’s Museum of Immigration, I empowered first-generation immigrants to be “experts” whose knowledge was a gift to their classmates. In my classroom, I exemplify empathy by listening to colleagues and students. I am a calm listener, and I reflect.
​The power of reflection drives empathy because it pushes us to see what we have in common. Learning someone’s story drives connection. My finely-honed listening and reflection skills also drive my innovative spirit. Teaching fulfills my need to be creative and innovate every day. When I listen to students with empathy, I can’t help but innovate to meet their needs.
I follow my curiosity. I ask many questions, and I’ve learned to embrace the comfort in uncertainty. When we returned to the classroom in the fall of 2020, we knew that children’s social and emotional needs were priorities. I began the year by developing a firm understanding of how to thrive with resilience through uncertainty. To be successful, my students need to: ask questions, demonstrate curiosity, listen to many perspectives with an open mind and take healthy risks. I bring these traits to every endeavor. These skills help me stay focused on my passion - curiosity about the world, its people, and what motivates us to make the world a better place. My empathy drives my innovation, and my drive to innovate is motivated by empathy.
I teach because I believe in every human’s potential and dignity. Every person deserves to feel dignity in their life every day. How can we recognize every person’s dignity if we don’t look at the world through an empathy lens? How can we restore dignity to all if we don’t innovate? These questions push me always to improve.