Where I Stand on Teaching Empathy in Schools

By Curtis Campogni, Candidate for Pinellas County School Board, District 3 (At-Large)

Every challenge in education brings an opportunity to lead differently. One of the reasons I am running for the Pinellas County School Board is because I believe we must focus on what works, not just what makes headlines. Few things are more misunderstood right now than empathy.

When I talk about teaching empathy, I am not talking about feelings over facts or politics in the classroom. I am talking about strategy. Empathy is a teachable skill that helps people listen better, communicate clearly, and reduce conflict. Research continues to show that when schools intentionally teach emotional awareness, perspective-taking, and respectful dialogue, students are less likely to bully, more likely to help their peers, and perform better academically.

Motivational Interviewing, an evidence-based approach used worldwide in counseling, health care, and workforce development, is built on empathy. It is proven to reduce resistance, improve engagement, and increase goal-setting behaviors. The same skills that make it effective in helping professionals can also strengthen how we connect with students in our schools.

My View and School Board Solutions

If elected, I would advocate for the School Board to:

• Support professional development that teaches “strategic empathy” as a communication skill for educators and administrators.

• Create pilot programs in Pinellas high schools where teachers and students are trained in non-judgmental, reflective listening to improve classroom culture and reduce behavioral conflicts.

• Integrate empathy-based communication into leadership and staff development so it becomes part of how we problem-solve, not a separate initiative.

• Measure results through climate surveys, student engagement data, and disciplinary trends to ensure accountability.

• And if it can be done ethically and without conflict, I would volunteer my time to help train both educators and students in the principles of strategic empathy to demonstrate the impact firsthand.

To keep it real, the data says when people interact with a non-judgmental, attentive listener, their defensiveness and anxiety go down. That creates space for collaboration and learning. Isn’t that exactly what we want in our classrooms?

It is my opinion that if someone views empathy as dangerous, it is not because of what empathy is, but because it challenges an ideology they feel deeply connected to. And yes, I empathize with that too.

This is my current view based on the information I have today. I will always strive to present balanced, fact-based ideas and remain open to learning as new facts emerge. Growth means continuing to listen and improve.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of Curtis Campogni, Candidate for Pinellas County School Board, District 3 (At-Large), and do not represent the official position of any organization, agency, or governing body.