THE ROLE OF TEACHER EMPATHY IN SHAPING A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE AND ENHANCING STUDENT WELL-BEING IN CRISIS SITUATIONS

Scientists, practitioners, and policymakers acknowledge schools' vital role in enhancing students ' and teachers' mental health and well-being.This research emphasises the increasing awareness of schools' critical role in enhancing students' and teachers' empathy and overall well-being through a combination of social-emotional and academic learning, contributing significantly to the educational institution's climate.When fostering a positive school climate it is crucial to adopt a whole-school approach rather than relying solely on individual teachers' efforts.The war and school closures in Ukraine are causing increased stress among students, disrupting their everyday routines and education.A lack of supportive school environments and sustained social engagement negatively impact students' teamwork, conflict resolution skills, resilience, and understanding of others, affecting their educational and emotional well-being.This study aims to identify factors that teachers, based on their experiences, believe are critical to promoting a positive school climate and building empathic relationships with students.Participants included teachers from four Ukrainian schools.This study addresses several research questions: How do teachers contribute to fostering a positive school climate?How do teachers incorporate empathy into their professional practices?The data collection process took place between September 2022 and February 2023 through focus group interviews and analysed through qualitative content analysis.The open-ended questions were qualitatively analysed to discover categories and themes.Teachers reported the importance of effective communication and ongoing professional development in creating a supportive educational environment.While some emphasised the need to reinforce institutional values, others focused on individual responsibility for applying appropriate teaching methods.The study also found that teachers recognise the role of empathy in interacting with diverse groups, including students, colleagues, administrators, and parents.The findings revealed that teachers recognise the need for training in building and maintaining positive relationships, self-study, upholding organisational values, practising positive discipline, and integrating social-emotional learning into daily classroom activities and assessments.