The Emotionally Intelligent Teacher

Formal education is most certainly an interpersonal experience. Much of taken place to reform education over past 30 years has served to diminish the importance of the emotional, interpersonal experiences between teachers and students. However, perhaps it is time to once again acknowledge the importance of the human side of learning. Students learn best from teachers who they believe care about them and what they know. And because students learn best from teachers who they believe care about them, the ability of teachers to display care and convey a genuine investment in student learning is essential. Emotional intelligence stands as a concept with the power to bridge the gap between teacher and student. As we delve deeper into the importance of emotion in the learning process, emotional intelligence emerges as a method for understanding the emotional capabilities of teachers and a tool for strengthening their ability to best educate students.