Discovering Identity and Purpose in the Classroom: Theoretical, Empirical, and Applied Perspectives

Identity formation has long been considered a crucial developmental task that evolves into a deep sense of purpose. As many adolescents spend the majority of their waking hours within the school context, there is great potential to boost both identity and purpose through the educational setting—via curriculum and instruction, extracurricular opportunities, school climate and culture, purpose development classes, and guidance from teachers. This chapter reviews the theoretical foundations and empirical evidence for expecting links between identity and purpose. The challenges, opportunities, and benefits of addressing identity and purpose within the school context are also discussed. An innovative charter school program is unpacked as an illustration of how identity and purpose might be effectively fostered in the classroom. Conclusions and implications are examined in light of cultural sensitivity, diversity, and inclusion.