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 The first condition required for learning is to feel good. Negative emotions affect all of our mental processes from the most elementary to the most complex intellectual and cognitive processes. It is, therefore, evident that the learning process is very sensitive to the emotional state that the person learning is in. So teachers must recognize the importance of the role they play if they want to enable their students to learn. This is why they must, first and foremost, develop two essential qualities in order to be of assistance; empathy and compassion.
Positive effects of an empathetic and compassionate teacher on a student :  Improves the ability for adaptation
The ability to decipher others’ feelings from nonverbal clues allows a better adjustment of our emotions in a given situation and to become more sensitive.
Rosenthal, R., 1977
Improves the quality of relationships
Partners feel better understood and receive better assistance from their partner when he/she is more empathetic.
Cormier N. et D. Julien, 1996 Improves the resolution of conflicts
Empathetic partners are more able to detect the other’s emotional signs and thus, can intervene more efficiently in their relationship.
Gottman et Silver, 1999 Improves communication
Empathetic individuals have no problem getting along with people from different backgrounds or from different cultures.
Goleman, D., R. Boyatzis et A.. McKee, 2002 Improves the perception of pain and the emotion of others
The brain of empathetic people responds to pain and the emotions of others in a specific way.
Mackey, S., 2003 et Iacoboni, M., 2003 Improves the understanding of others’needs and difficulties
Empathetic people are better able, than non-empathetic people, to seize others’ difficulties and problems and, consequently, can provide better assistance.
Boyatzis, R., 2002 Favors academic success
Empathetic teachers contribute to the students’academic success.
Hughes, C., A. White, J. Sharpen et J. Dunn, 2000
Nowicki, S. et M. Duke, 1989
Assor A, H. Kaplan et G. Roth, 2002
Coffman, Stephan L., 1981 Stimulates the brain and favors positive emotions
Empathetic individuals show an increase in the activity of the left prefrontal lobe.
Davidson, R., 2002
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