ABSTRACT
It is easy to empathize with secondary students by making the statement: I was your age once. However, in reality, no matter how far removed from the experience, we are just not experiencing what the reality is for our students. Even the most empathetic teacher cannot remove the part of our brains that our students have yet to develop. We have a sense of consequences and the ability to weigh decisions beyond the capabilities of our students. Take a pause and check in with the kids. Be curious about their reality, listen without assuming you understand. If possible, help them navigate the harsh reality with our ability to put things in perspective for them.
