Empathy/Sympathy in Socio-Emotional Learning: Enhancing Connections with AI
Session 1: 10:30am-12:00pm (Friday March 07, 2025)
Description
Join us for an engaging session with two experienced ESL teachers and a Transition Specialist from Silicon Valley Adult Education as we explore the role of socio-emotional learning in supporting adult education students. The session will focus on distinguishing empathy from sympathy and leveraging AI tools to enhance connections in diverse learning environments. ESL instructor Ms. Aruna Subramanian will begin by discussing the importance of socio-emotional learning in building strong teacher-student relationships. Since people often confuse sympathy with empathy, our Transition Specialist, Arezoo Miller, will then illustrate these concepts. Attendees will engage in interactive scenarios to identify empathy vs. sympathy in real-life situations. The session will conclude with our second ESL teacher, Mr. Henry Mulak, demonstrating how educators can use AI tools to help students recognize empathy and find resources to support socio-emotional growth.
Presenters
Arezoo Miller
Silicon Valley Adult Education
With 18 years of experience teaching ESL and GED in adult education, and private schools, Arezoo Miller currently serves as a Transition Specialist at Silicon Valley Adult Education. In addition, she has spent the past three years as Union President at MetroED, where she advocates for educators and champions the success of adult learners. Her work is focused on fostering an empowering educational environments that supports both student achievement and the professional growth of faculty.
Henry Mulak
Silicon Valley Adult Education
Emmy-winning writer, journalist, and teacher. Henry has studied Artificial Intelligence in Stanford University’s Continuing Studies program for the last five years. He is working to incorporate new technologies into the educational field. Having taught in Europe and the United States over the past two decades, he now works at Silicon Valley Adult Education with students and faculty from all around the world, developing both knowledge and skills for a new era in human development.
Aruna Subramanian
Silicon Valley Adult Education
Ms. Subramanian has experience teaching middle school, high school, alternative, and adult school students. She has a great passion for teaching adult students and seeing them succeed and reach their goals. She believes that education is the key to success in everyone’s life. She is a caring and understanding educator who always listens to and addresses students' needs. She is working hard on social and emotional skills with the students to help them reach their goals.
Type of Presentation
Panel or Facilitated discussion (60 minutes)
Audience
- Teachers
- Administrators
- Support Staff (Transition Specialists, Counselors, Librarians, etc.)
Program Strands
- Adult Basic Education
- Adult Secondary Education
- Adults with Disabilities
- English as a Second Language
- Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship
Category Strands
- Ensuring Equity and Access
- Digital Learning Foundations
- Designing Learning Experiences
- Student Support Services