A critical pedagogy of empathy: making a better world achievable

ABSTRACT

Based on the results of a large-scale study regarding the role of secondary education teachers, we tried to develop an emancipatory teaching programme within the framework of a critical pedagogy of empathy. This teaching strategy is a three-stage process, during which a constant teacher–student interaction, attentive listening and interchange of roles are emphasised, so as to foster empathy. The first stage includes understanding the students’ perspectives and giving value to their experiences. When the channels of communication are open and teachers get into their students’ shoes, material relevant to the students’ experiences is presented at the second stage, while students are encouraged to question the prevailing status quo and to raise their voices in institutional contexts in which they have traditionally been silenced. Finally, during the third stage, students disseminate self-gained knowledge and thoughts with a view to creating a better future and a different society, as part of the broader mission of informed, democratic, critical, empathetic and active citizens.

KEYWORDS:

• Critical pedagogy
• education
• learning
• teaching methods
• teacher role

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eleni Damianidou

Eleni Damianidou has studied Greek Philology at the University of Athens. She continued with postgraduate studies at the Education Department of the University of Cyprus, where she received a PhD in Education Studies. Currently, she is working as a secondary education teacher.

Helen Phtiaka

Helen Phtiaka is an Associate Professor at the Department of Education of the University of Cyprus. She has studied at the University of Athens, University of Stirling and University of Cambridge. Her research interests include: inclusive education, educational policy and practice, equal opportunities, home–school relations and qualitative research methods. She has published five books and several articles in international journals.