One of the most devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the increasing hopelessness and despair experienced by many students, especially those living in poverty where the lack of resources prevents them from accessing high-quality learning, health care, and social programs. Bruce Barnett describes the enormity of the problems associated with the growing hopelessness of our school-age children, some of the factors affecting students’ levels of hope, the unique role principals play in fostering hope in schools, and the skills and mindsets educators need to instill hope. This article includes examples of classroom activities that can help students become more hopeful and discusses the need for educators to become more hopeful about what students can accomplish.
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