Managing emotions in the classroom

In the context of war in Ukraine, Dr. Nick Grindle (UCL Arena Centre) and Dr. Cathy Elliott (UCL Political Science) discuss strategies for productively managing emotions in the classroom.

26 February 2021

About this topic

Dr. Cathy Elliott is an Associate Professor in Department of Politics and a co-Director of the Centre for the Pedagogy of Politics where her work as focused on making the curriculum more inclusive (including decolonization, queering of the curriculum etc.).

In this short interview (approx. 9 minutes) with Dr. Nick Grindle from the UCL Arena Centre for Research-based Education, she discusses her approach for managing students' emotions in the classroom. She provides tips based on her experience teaching what can be a highly emotive subject where students bring conflicting viewpoints.

Why it matters

Students (and teachers!) bring their whole selves into the classroom and that can include memories and traumas that are triggered by interactions or content discussed in class. As teachers, it is our role to notice and respond to students' emotional reactions in a supportive way, whilst also safeguarding our own wellbeing.

Key takeaways

Remember that students and staff bring their whole selves into the classroom.
Do everything you can to know your students' names and in your Moodle and course documents tell students where they can go for help.
Don't hide your own feelings, if and when specific situations arise (such as the current war).
Value the personal experience that students bring and let students be the experts in their own feelings and traumas.
Have a classroom ethos of listening to each other.
Don't be afraid to apologise to students if you get things wrong