Listening from the Heart: A Simple Classroom Practice to Transform Hard Conversations

As we approach Oct. 7, which marks two years of devastation and loss for Palestinians and Israelis alike, we know that this is weighing on the hearts and minds of students and teachers alike. 

Every day, teachers navigate not only lesson plans and curriculum standards but also the weight of the world their students bring into the classroom. Issues like war, identity and conflict don’t stay outside school walls—they shape the way students see themselves and each other. Yet, when we asked teachers how prepared they felt to address these topics, the answers were clear: They want to engage, but they need support. 

At the AFT TEACH conference this summer, we surveyed dozens of educators.  

• Over 80 percent said that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be addressed in schools. 
• More than 70 percent admitted they felt underprepared or unsupported in leading those conversations.  

Many told us they urgently need age-appropriate, balanced materials and practical tools for guiding dialogue in their classrooms. 

This is exactly why the Parents Circle – Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding organization made up of more than 800 bereaved families, created Listening from the Heart. The program brings real human stories of loss, hope, and reconciliation into schools and communities through videos, discussion guides and training. Our mission is to help teachers and students replace fear and silence with empathy and dialogue. We are honored to work together with the AFT to ensure the program is accessible for educators across the U.S.  

But you don’t have to wait for the full program to start. There’s one simple practice you can try tomorrow. 

Try This: ‘What Did You Hear?’

When difficult issues come up, classroom discussions often move too quickly. Students listen in order to argue back, rather than to understand. That’s when tension rises, and quieter voices retreat. 

One of the most effective tools we teach is to pause and ask: 

“Before you respond, what did you hear them say?” 

This question changes the dynamic immediately. It: 

• Slows the pace of conversation, giving space for reflection.
• Reinforces active listening, as students focus on capturing meaning, not just formulating rebuttals.
• Builds empathy, because repeating another’s words encourages genuine understanding—even in disagreement. 

You can use this practice in a discussion about current events, literature, or even history. Imagine a heated debate about a character’s motives in Of Mice and Men or about a headline in the news. Instead of letting rebuttals fly, pause and ask one student to restate another’s perspective before responding. In our experience, the tone shifts from combative to curious almost instantly.