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October is almost here and midterms are quickly approaching: faculty and students are feeling the crunch. A higher education colleague recently described how a one-on-one interaction with a student opened their eyes to the importance of empathy between teachers and students:
Our conversation was practical – we reviewed deadlines, clarified expectations,
and outlined next steps. At the end of our meeting, he paused and said, “Your empathy is palpable. In this space, that is rare – and I am grateful.” I was touched. And without premeditation, I replied, “I did not become an educator to be a gatekeeper; I became an educator to be a waymaker” (Faculty Focus, 21 Sept. 2026).
Dr. Crystal Donlan later offered specific ideas for conveying empathy with students as a “waymaker:”
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Make the implicit explicit. Expand your thoughts, provide examples, and verbalize tacit knowledge that faculty can carry implicitly.
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Normalize “not yet.” Imagine ways that feedback to students can signal progress rather than deficiency. Allow students opportunities to revise and re-engage.
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Use structured flexibility. Exercising humane judgement does not weaken expectations; it reinforces professional discernment.
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Build early mastery experiences. Low/no-stakes assessments before midterms allow students opportunities to practice demonstrating their learning, strengthening both competence and confidence.
The author concluded the article with a salient point, when it comes to engaging students with empathy and walking alongside them, “We can guard the gate - or we can make a way.” How will you make a more positive and constructive way to midterms with your students?
-Matthew Garrett, PhD, director
-Jenny Hadingham, PhD, associate director
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