The Exploration of Empathy of the Inclusive Elementary School Teacher in Denpasar

Empathy is an activity to understand what other people are thinking and feeling by engaging cognitive, affective and communication skills without losing self-control. This research explores empathy in inclusive elementary school teachers in Denpasar. This research uses qualitative Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method toward six inclusion elementary schools in Denpasar. The results showed that empathy respondents were divided into three major themes. The themes are self-conditioning, self-control and empathy expression. Empathy is important in teaching and learning. Empathy will affect the relationship between teachers, students and parents. Empathy can play an important role in the integration of children with special needs in the educational process. Children with special needs are not marginalized.