Education During COVID: Support Kids in Discovering a Sense of Purpose

Whether you are an educator or a parent, you likely share a common concern about the struggles adolescents face as they endeavor to stay on track during the current pandemic. The sad fact is that many students risk falling behind emotionally and academically. However, those who cultivate a sense of purpose are more likely to weather the challenges.

When I reflect on my own professional growth and development, I think back to the formative high school-age media career experiences that allowed me to develop a clear sense of purpose and self, overcome obstacles, and forge a successful career in two competitive fields.

Discovering an area of interest early in life can fuel one’s future.

Today, I’m a journalism professor who researches ways to improve education and support underserved students on how to realize their aspirations. My research team’s work finds that young people who develop a strong sense of identity and who discover areas of interest early in life stand the best chance of thriving in our ever-changing world.

Journalism offers students opportunities to explore their curiosities, often in awe-inspiring ways. Five years ago, we launched the Journalistic Learning Initiative (JLI) nonprofit organization to empower student voice and improve academic outcomes through project-based learning. To date, we’ve positively affected the lives of more than 4500 students at 18 middle and high schools in Oregon and California. Witnessing the impact of our work makes me want to share it with the world and build a community of students, parents, educators, philanthropists, and policymakers who share our commitment to reigniting students’ imaginations. This is the first of a series of short updates on how journalistic approaches to teaching are enhancing students’ lives. I intend to share our journey here once or twice a week and promise to keep it brief. Consider this an exploratory dialogue, as I welcome your feedback.