With the implementation of the No Child Left BehindAct of 2001 (2002) schools are challenged byhigh-stakes testing and the need to maintain a highlyqualified teaching force. The focus of discussion isoften effective interventions and strategies toassist students to become academically successful.However, a number of researchers (Kaplan & Owings,2000; Kohn, 2005; Noddings, 1995a, 2005c) have agreedthat there is more to teaching and learning than isrepresented by scores on a single test. Authors suchas Noddings (1984, 2005b) and Kohn (1990, 2005) havediscussed the importance of an ethic of care in theacademic success of students. This mixed-methodsstudy revealed the importance of empathy in creatinga caring classroom environment and challenges teachereducators to provide training and field experiencesthat promote and enhance empathy and care in theclassroom.

Dawn "Michelle" Williams taught special education for 20 years,served 10 years as a middle and high school administrator inKansas and Texas, and is currently employed as an assistantprofessor and coordinator of the middle level grade onlinecompleter program at Stephen F. Austin State University in theDepartment of Elementary Education.