Are you an empathetic person? Give an example.

How to Answer
Answer Example

Teachers must be empathetic people. They work very closely with students and families of all walks and phases of life. The best teachers see the whole picture, not just what is right in front of them. Demonstrate your ability to be empathetic by providing an example that shows your care and concern for the students and families you serve. Use the STAR method to answer this question. Describe the situation and the task. Describe the actions you took and the resulting outcome.

"Yes, I'm empathetic. You need to be, in order to reach students. You ought to genuinely care about them, it is part of where my passion comes from. And I think the students can feel that energy. they know the ones that care and that can affect the classroom right down to the drive to learn. Empathy can even affect the opportunity to learn. For example, a few years ago, I had a student whose family did not have much, and they were open with me about it. We were about to go on a big class field trip that cost about thirty dollars per student, and I knew the family would likely not be able to pay for him to go. I sent the permission slip home to the family without sharing the cost to attend, and I quietly paid the student's share. I didn't want the family to sacrifice for this one field trip, and I couldn't imagine leaving the student behind."

Next Question

How to Answer: Are you an empathetic person? Give an example.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Elementary Teacher job interview.

43. Are you an empathetic person? Give an example.

How to Answer

Teachers must be empathetic people. They work very closely with students and families of all walks and phases of life. The best teachers see the whole picture, not just what is right in front of them. Demonstrate your ability to be empathetic by providing an example that shows your care and concern for the students and families you serve. Use the STAR method to answer this question. Describe the situation and the task. Describe the actions you took and the resulting outcome.

Written by Audra Kresinske on August 22nd, 2021

Answer Example

"Yes, I'm empathetic. You need to be, in order to reach students. You ought to genuinely care about them, it is part of where my passion comes from. And I think the students can feel that energy. they know the ones that care and that can affect the classroom right down to the drive to learn. Empathy can even affect the opportunity to learn. For example, a few years ago, I had a student whose family did not have much, and they were open with me about it. We were about to go on a big class field trip that cost about thirty dollars per student, and I knew the family would likely not be able to pay for him to go. I sent the permission slip home to the family without sharing the cost to attend, and I quietly paid the student's share. I didn't want the family to sacrifice for this one field trip, and I couldn't imagine leaving the student behind."

Written by Audra Kresinske on August 22nd, 2021

Next Question