Leading Lives of Meaning and Purpose for Catholic High School Teachers

• In Event: Making Sense of Innovations and Interventions in Catholic Pre-K–12 Schools

Abstract

From elementary school onward, educators are instrumental in nurturing students’ well-being and their sense of purpose in life. This is especially important during adolescence. Consequently, educators must not only have a strong sense of purpose, but also possess virtues such as compassion and moral agency. This study explores these virtues among a group of 45 urban Catholic school teachers working in schools that partner with a university-affiliated teacher “third space” program. Analysis of self-administered scales measuring purpose and meaning in life, compassion, moral reasoning, and faith, found relatively high levels of purpose, compassion, and morality, as well as strong positive correlations between purpose, compassion, and religiosity. Implications for teacher preparation that can help support positive youth development are discussed.

Authors

• Henry I. Braun, Boston College

• Audrey Anne Friedman, Boston College

• Ella Anghel, Boston College

• Myra Rosen-Reynoso, Boston College

• Larry H. Ludlow, Boston College