How do we teach people to be empathetic?

This is a complicated questioned but my answer is public education. Our educational system provides the most effective place to increase understanding, compassion, empathy and kindness in our society. Children develop their beliefs early in life and carry them with them to adulthood. For the most part, public education has failed to include social-emotional learning (SEL) in traditional education. There are exceptions of course but few too many. This belief was my keystone in creating the CCSR.

Our public education system is the foundation of our democracy and the caldron of the "melting pot" Our schools must incorporate social-emotional learning, empathy, compassion and citizenship in school curriculums to develop students leaders will who combat racism, bigotry and hate. If we fail to do this, we miss an opportunity to have a profound impact on the kind of world that our children will live in.

By providing a nurturing environment and proper learning activities, we can: prevent students from becoming addicted to harmful substances, committing suicide while developing develop positive self-awareness, encouraging teamwork and cooperation, improving self-esteem and developing leadership skills. We believe by incorporating real life experiences, authentic projects, for students to work on which help others will have a lasting positive effect on their self-image and understanding of others.

“Empathetic connections change our brain chemistry and make us happy and secure. When we give and receive we produce the magical neurochemical oxytocin. Oxytocin reduces anxiety, inflammation, addictive cravings, while increasing trust, generosity, calmness and a sense of well-being. It also protects against heart disease, and aids in recovery from illness.”

Arthur P Ciaramicoli, PhD

There are many government sponsored and private programs that attempt to deal with these issues. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these programs address the symptoms and not the root cause. We believe that K-12 public school education provides us with the most effective place to address and reduce the effects of these issues. Since much of public school education focuses on academic learning, we often fail to develop the social-emotional (SEL) learning skills and understanding that is critically important in developing the whole child.

Medford Public Schools (Medford MA) has created The Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility (CCSR) which develops student leaders through Project Based Learning (PBL). Our student leaders create projects that benefit the community and the world, The CCSR is a district wide after school program that is dedicated to making the community and the world a better place to live. The mission of The Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility is to develop responsible global leaders/citizens that will be positive contributors to society and will work to combat important social issues listed above and become leaders in our society. At the same time, change the “brain chemistry” of these students that will last a lifetime.

Joey Ruemenapp - CCSR Co-President, Medford High School Junior, 17 Years Old

“The CCSR has meant the world to me over these past two years. Prior to joining there was an excessive amount of self-reflection of my life that felt more like self-punishment. I was ashamed to be someone who had nothing to show as their contribution to the world, a crushing feeling, even as a 15-year-old. When I was introduced to the CCSR I realized there was a path to improving the world that was not only accessible within my school, but also provided a sense of community which I craved. Over my time in my CCSR, I learned that I truly want to help the world and those in need. I learned that fighting for issues that are important to me provides an unmatched sense of emotional pride. I learned that I can make a difference now, not necessarily 10 years down the line. Through collaboration with other students, I learned that I am not alone. There are other students that share my passions for service and improvement. Emotionally, the CCSR has emphasized and improved what I have come to find as a crucial trait: empathy. You gain perspective in your service project by seeing what it is you’re improving, which leads to empathy in the struggles of others.”

“True compassion means not only feeling another's pain but also being moved to help relieve it.”

Daniel Goleman