The Importance of Experiential Learning and Reflection in Building Student
Empowerment and Leadership
By Ryan Pemberton Episcopal High School • Alexandria, VA
Public life in the US and many parts of the world is polarized. Much has been written about the effects of that polarization: an inability for public officials to create and execute policy that focuses on long-term challenges; an inability to identify and combat civic challenges; and psychological constraints that prevent engagement of wide swaths of citizens, to name just a few. News consumption that aligns with already held political beliefs further pushes people into separate camps as commentary replaces factual reporting and facts are no longer agreed upon. Public belief in institutions is exceptionally low. Gallup annually tracks Americans’ faith in 16 different institutions. Their 2023 study found that confidence significantly declined in 11 of 16 institutions. Only two of the 16 institutions studied( small business and the military) enjoy the confidence of more than half of Americans polled( Saad). This environment makes it challenging for citizens, especially young citizens, to understand their rights and responsibilities when connected to the larger civic body. Disengagement, disaffection, and skepticism among our young citizens is the outcome of that polarization.
So what is our role as educators who care about building thoughtful, empathetic, and morally and intellectually courageous servant leaders who are ready for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship? What can we do to empower the amazing young people with whom we work? We can offer an experiential brand of leadership education that prioritizes the use of the pedagogical tool of reflection. This approach can serve as an antidote to disillusionment, an opportunity to empower, and a way to help students better understand and feel a sense of agency about their place in the world.
Page 6 Summer 2025 CSEE Connections