News How to Empower Teenagers to Find Their Path Joanna Chou, Ed.M.'25, finds new meaning in helping high schooler's discover their purpose Posted June 13, 2025 By Carolina Ruggero Career and Lifelong Learning Human Development Social Emotional Learning Teachers and Teaching Joanna Chou's high school experience was driven by academic competition. At HGSE, the 2025 graduate found space to reimagine what high school could be — a time for young people to develop a strong sense of self and purpose. Through the Human Development and Education Program, she explored how identity shapes learning, and how schools can support students in discovering who they are. News The latest research, perspectives, and highlights from the Harvard Graduate School of Education Explore All Articles Related Articles Ed. Magazine Happy Students Are Motivated Students Happiness is positively correlated with motivation and academic achievement. Ed. Magazine My Get Up and Go Got Up and Went With a pandemic that has gone on for more than a year, how do students and teachers stay motivated? Ed. Magazine FIRST PERSON: Teachers, Step Back and Listen An eight-year veteran teacher realized she didn't know what her students needed — or what was meaningful for them — during online COVID learning