As educators, we often feel the pressure to be the perfect role models—always composed, knowledgeable, and in control. But what if the most powerful lessons we teach come from showing our human side? A recent LinkedIn post outlined six ways teachers can embrace their humanity in front of their students, creating a classroom filled with trust, empathy, and growth. At Tech in Teach, we believe that vulnerability is a skill every modern educator should master. Let’s dive into these six practices, each paired with a story or example to bring them to life, showing how they can transform your teaching.
1. Show That Vulnerability Is Human, Not a Weakness
When we let students see our emotions, we teach them that vulnerability is a strength, not a flaw. Sharing moments of uncertainty or struggle can make us more relatable and inspire resilience in our students.
Story: Ms. Carter, a middle school science teacher, once planned an elaborate experiment to demonstrate chemical reactions, but the materials failed to react as expected. Instead of brushing it off, she turned to her class and said, “Well, that didn’t go as planned! I’m a bit disappointed, but let’s figure out what went wrong together.” Her students jumped in, suggesting adjustments, and the failed experiment turned into a collaborative problem-solving session. By the end, her students not only learned about chemical reactions but also saw that setbacks are a natural part of learning—a lesson Ms. Carter modeled through her vulnerability.
2. Name and Express Feelings with Empathy and Clarity
Naming our emotions and expressing them with empathy helps students understand and manage their own feelings. It’s about creating a language of emotions that fosters connection and clarity.
Example: Mr. Lopez, a high school English teacher, noticed his students were restless during a lesson on Shakespeare. Feeling frustrated, he paused and said, “I’m feeling a bit frustrated because I really want us to enjoy this play together. I can see you’re struggling—let’s take a step back and try a new approach.” He then asked the students how they felt about the lesson, and together they decided to act out a scene instead of reading it. By naming his frustration and responding with empathy, Mr. Lopez turned a challenging moment into an opportunity for engagement, echoing the emotional intelligence strategies we explored in SEL in Primary Education.
3. Foster Trust Through Authenticity
Being authentic—whether it’s sharing your passions or admitting you don’t have all the answers—builds trust and creates a psychologically safe classroom where students feel valued.
Case Study: Mrs. Patel, a primary school teacher, loved astronomy and often shared her excitement about the stars with her students. One day, a student asked her a complex question about black holes that she couldn’t answer. Instead of pretending to know, she said, “That’s a great question, and I’m not sure of the answer—let’s research it together!” They spent the next day exploring the topic as a class, and her honesty deepened her students’ trust in her. This authenticity aligns with the connection-building principles we discussed in The Power of Connection: Lessons for Educators, showing how genuine interactions foster stronger bonds.
4. Model Openness to Encourage Sharing
When we model openness by sharing our own experiences, we create a safe space for students to express their thoughts and worries without fear of judgment.
Story: During a history lesson on overcoming challenges, Ms. Nguyen shared a personal story with her fifth graders. “When I was your age, I was terrified of speaking in front of the class,” she admitted. “But I practiced with my friends, and over time, I got better. What’s something you’ve been scared to try?” Her vulnerability prompted a shy student, Liam, to share his fear of reading aloud. With Ms. Nguyen’s encouragement, Liam started reading short passages to a small group, eventually gaining confidence. By modeling openness, Ms. Nguyen created a culture of sharing, a technique that pairs well with student-centered approaches like those in The Flipped Classroom.
5. Admit Slip-Ups to Normalize Mistakes
Acknowledging our mistakes shows students that errors are part of growth, not something to fear, helping them develop a growth mindset.
Example: Mr. Evans, a math teacher, accidentally wrote the wrong formula on the board during a geometry lesson. A student pointed it out, and instead of dismissing it, Mr. Evans smiled and said, “Oops, I made a mistake there! Thank you for catching that—it’s a great reminder that we all mess up sometimes, and that’s how we learn.” He corrected the formula and continued the lesson, later noticing that his students seemed less anxious about making mistakes themselves during problem-solving. This approach reinforces the growth mindset we highlighted in The Power of Grit, showing students that mistakes are stepping stones to success.
6. Cultivate a Kind and Compassionate Classroom
Modeling kindness and compassion sets the tone for a classroom where students feel valued and supported, fostering a culture of empathy and patience.
Story: Ms. Thompson noticed one of her students, Aisha, was unusually quiet after struggling with a writing assignment. Instead of moving on, Ms. Thompson knelt beside her and said, “I can see you’re upset, and I’m here to help. Let’s work on this together—I know you can do it.” She spent a few extra minutes guiding Aisha, celebrating her small progress with a warm smile. Over time, Aisha became one of the most engaged students in class, often helping her peers. Ms. Thompson’s compassionate approach mirrors the SOFTEN technique we explored in Building Strong Parent-Child Relationships, adapted here to nurture teacher-student connections.
Why Being Human Matters in Education
These stories and examples show that embracing our humanity as educators isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a transformative approach that builds trust, encourages growth, and fosters empathy. At Tech in Teach, we’re passionate about equipping educators with modern pedagogical skills like these, ensuring classrooms become spaces where both teachers and students can thrive as humans. Ready to bring more humanity into your teaching? Explore our resources at techinteach.com and join our community of educators shaping the future of education.
