Do you find yourself asking your students to think about how someone else might feel? Or how they would feel if they were in another child's situation? Are you answered with blank stares and shoulder shrugs? This training will help dig deeper into those questions and encourage children to recognize their own feelings, emotions and reactions, as well as those of others by developing the much needed social skill of empathy. We will explore the differences between empathy and sympathy; explore body language and facial expressions, and write empathetic responses to common situations. Join this interactive, online event and leave with practical strategies to encourage empathy in your classroom every day!

Through discussion, group activities and interactive activities, participants will be define empathy, match emotions to critical muscle movements, compare and contrast empathy and sympathy, write an empathetic response to a situation, and state strategies to encourage empathy in a classroom.

Registration always open!

Karen’s personal information:

Family demographics: Originally from West Virginia, has 1 sister, lives in Kings Mountain.  Recently had a very small, private wedding ceremony and married Jeff Presnell, but kept the name Karen Darby, on Tuesday, 2-22-2022.  Karen has no children of her own but enjoys spending time with Jeff’s grown children and grandchildren.

Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, biking, flower gardening, painting, willing to try anything outdoors at least once.

Outside interests: Teaches an adult swimming class for the City of Shelby, Certified Aqua Fitness Instructor, Volunteers in the community and senior center

Future plans/aspirations: An on-going goal is to be a published author (of more than just an article or blogpost), bring the on-demand learning platform/courses to the level of recognition of a statewide project/be viewed as a statewide project director or advance to a higher position in SW, if applicable and available. 

Contact Karen at darby.karen@swcdcinc.org