Aysu Şimşek

Aysu Şimşek is a passionate advocate of continuing professional development. After graduating from Istanbul University with joint honours in American Culture and Literature with Theatre Criticism and Dramaturgy, she embarked on her own teaching career. Now in her role with Oxford University Press, Aysu not only meets and supports teachers from across Turkiye and Central Asia, but she has also become a workplace coach which enables her to help her colleagues with their career development. She enjoys sharing tips and tricks on ELT whenever she has the opportunity. She has co-written articles for Modern English Teacher magazine and TEA Online Magazine. She has also written articles on using games and activities on the OUP ELT Blog (https://oupeltglobalblog.com).  

Abstract 

Shine Bright Like A Diamond with Compassion 

As Sarah Mercer insightfully states, “Compassion is a core human characteristic that gives us the potential to be better teachers, learners, friends, family members, peers, and citizens.” This powerful statement underscores the vital role compassion plays not only in our personal lives but also in our professional and educational environments. In today’s increasingly complex and diverse classrooms, fostering compassion is more important than ever. It can enhance student engagement, support emotional well-being, and create more inclusive and supportive learning communities. In this session, we will explore the concept of compassion-based teaching—what it means, why it matters, and how it can transform our educational practices. Together, we will reflect on our current approaches, share experiences, and discover practical strategies to integrate compassion more intentionally into our teaching.