Teacher empathy has become one of the most influential pedagogical concepts in contemporary education. In an era where learners face increasing academic, emotional, and social pressures, the ability of teachers to understand students’ feelings, perspectives, and learning needs plays a critical role in creating an effective and inclusive learning environment. Empathy is more than mere kindness; it is a cognitive and affective capacity to recognize what students experience and respond in ways that foster trust, motivation, and engagement. Numerous studies highlight that empathetic teachers significantly improve learners’ academic performance, reduce classroom conflicts, and contribute to students’ psychological well-being. This article explores the role of teacher empathy in effective learning, examining its theoretical foundations, pedagogical functions, classroom impact, and practical strategies for developing empathetic teaching practices. Empathy has been defined in psychology as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person (Rogers, 1959). In educational contexts, it expands to include cognitive insight—teachers’ awareness of students’ perspectives—and affective resonance—teachers’ emotional attunement to students’ experiences.

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