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
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#Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #ForeverGettingBetter #EmpathyToAction
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