In the heart of a charming book and coffee shop, I recently had the pleasure of meeting Abdul Malek. He’s a wonderful educator from Dhaka, Bangladesh, who embodies the warmth of his culture and a wealth of experiences. Join me as we dive into his inspiring story, and the fascinating insights he’s gained as an Empatico ambassador.
Empatico: A Gateway to Global Understanding
For those unfamiliar, Empatico is a platform that connects educators and students with their global peers. Its mission is to foster empathy, understanding, and a broader perspective of the world. Along with facilitating these connections, Empatico also offers a rich array of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) activities. This makes it a powerful resource for promoting digital literacy, global citizenship, and English language learning, particularly in regions where traditional “pen-and-paper” education still dominates.
Abdul Malek has been an ambassador for Empatico for over two years. He has dedicated his time and energy to various fellowships including the Kindness Champions and Empathetic Environmentalists programs. Through these initiatives, he has brought a world of knowledge and understanding to his students from underserved communities in Dhaka. These experiences have nurtured their self-awareness and a deeper comprehension of both identity and environmental issues.
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and Its Mission
Currently, Abdul is touring schools in the USA as a part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a U.S. Department of State-funded initiative. He is involved in a project centered on “Integrating Technology and Inquiry-Based Learning Methods in Rural and Low-Resource Classrooms”. This mission aligns seamlessly with the goals of Empatico, emphasizing the use of technology in education to foster empathy and cross-cultural understanding.
The Teach for All Network and Its Global Reach
As a partnerships manager at Teach for Bangladesh, Abdul finds himself at the intersection of a global network that is “Teach for All”. This organization, with its presence in 61 countries, shares a symbiotic mission with Empatico, aiming to nurture a generation of future leaders who are not just academically proficient, but also empathetically grounded.
Teach for All focuses on expanding educational opportunities and fostering leadership in classrooms around the world. It operates with a deep understanding that every child should have the support and educational experience they need to realize their full potential. Through his involvement with Teach for Bangladesh, Abdul brings this global perspective into his local community. He works tirelessly to ensure that his students are not left behind in the global educational landscape.
The Path Forward with Empathy and Education
As I wrapped up my enlightening conversation with Abdul, it became abundantly clear that the journey of global educators like him is not just about teaching subjects. It is about nurturing kindness, infusing empathy in education, and building bridges of understanding across borders.
Abdul Malek, through his tireless efforts, is not just teaching. He is shaping a generation of empathetic individuals, ready to embrace the world with understanding and kindness. It is educators like him who remind us that with empathy, education transcends borders, becoming a universal language of kindness and compassion.
Empatico, with its unique ability to connect students worldwide, has played a pivotal role in these transformative experiences. For instance, Abdul’s students, living in a country blessed with abundant water resources, were initially surprised when they connected with Ghanaian students who shared their daily struggles of walking long distances for water. These eye-opening conversations not only broadened their horizons, but also highlighted the crucial role of empathy and understanding in today’s interconnected world.
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