TITLE:
Teachers’ Emotional and Empathetic Abilities in Relation to Adolescents Social and Emotional Characteristics and the Importance of Rapport with Secondary Students in a Multicultural Environment
AUTHORS:
Marina Traikou
KEYWORDS:
Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Students’ Rapport, Multicultural Classrooms, Disruptive Behavior
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.12,
December
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: The study explores the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in developing rapport with students and managing disruptive behaviors, particularly in multicultural educational settings. The qualitative research adopts the phenomenological approach, using thematic analysis on interviews with teachers. The research investigates how teachers perceive and implement these emotional competencies, the strategies they find effective in building student rapport, and the challenges they encounter in employing empathy. The analysis reveals a profound understanding among teachers of the significance of empathy and emotional intelligence in educational contexts. Teachers view these skills as essential for understanding and connecting with students, especially in classrooms characterized by cultural and emotional diversity. The strategies identified for enhancing rapport, such as individualized attention and building relationships beyond academics, align with the concept of relational pedagogy. These approaches highlight the importance of creating inclusive and empathetic classroom environments where students feel valued and understood. However, teachers also report significant challenges in implementing these strategies, including managing large classes, coping with emotional exhaustion, addressing diverse emotional needs, and balancing the emotional labor inherent in teaching. Overall, the study shows that empathy and emotional intelligence are not merely individual traits but are deeply influenced by the broader educational context.