The Empathetic Classroom: A Mental Health Mindset for Educators

Why do certain student behaviors trigger an intense emotional reaction in us? According to Maria Munro-Schuster, it often has less to do with the child and more to do with our own history. In this episode, Emily sits down with Maria, a licensed clinical professional counselor and author of the new book, The Empathetic Classroom: How a Mental Health Mindset Can Support Your Students and You , to discuss the gap between therapeutic insight and the reality of the classroom. They talk about the use of the term "Mental Health Mindset" to describe a way of being that prioritizes nervous system regulation over behavior management. They also discuss complex topics like counter-transference (how our own past influences our reactions to students), and neuroception (how our bodies scan for safety), and provide guidance on how to set flexible boundaries that protect both the adult and the child. TAKEAWAYS Educators' own histories and emotional patterns can dictate their reactions to students. Safety is a prerequisite for learning. There's an important distinction between flexible and rigid boundaries. While teachers are not therapists, they are the "first responders" to student emotions, therefore need the tools to handle that responsibility without burning out. Therapists, register now for the continuing education course, G et It Done: How to Help Clients with ADHD (& Others) Improve Productivity . Dr. Ari Tuckman will join Emily for this APA and NBCC approved 1.5 hour continuing education training on Friday, February 6. Register before February 2 for an early-bird bonus as well. Maria Munro-Schuster is a licensed clinical professional counselor and former K-12 and university teacher who spent more than a decade in the classroom before transitioning to mental health work. She practices at Mango Beetle Counseling in Bozeman, Montana, where she blends her background in teaching, writing, and psychology. She is the author of The Empathetic Classroom: How a Mental Health Mindset Can Support Your Students and You . BACKGROUND READING Maria's website , LinkedIn The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook , Instagram , BlueSky , and you're invited to join our Facebook Group . For more information go to . If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website .

You can listen to The Empathetic Classroom: A Mental Health Mindset for Educators online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

The Empathetic Classroom: A Mental Health Mindset for Educators is an episode from Neurodiversity Podcast by Dave Morris.

This episode is 36:34 long.

This episode was published on Jan 29, 2026.

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