As students return to school, many will face the conflicting challenges of discovering who they are and the pressure to fit in. In this delicate balance, stories serve as a powerful bridge, celebrating our differences while highlighting the humanity that connects us. Stories can give us the courage to be ourselves.
That’s why StoryCorps resonates so deeply in the classroom. Teachers and students alike have discovered that StoryCorps teaches the power of listening and reinforce the truth that every voice matters.
New Perspectives Through Storytelling: When students participate in StoryCorps, they’re not just capturing memories, but uncovering the wisdom of different generations and learning the value of active listening, empathy, and diverse perspectives. Initiatives like The Great Thanksgiving Listen are designed to be as impactful in the classroom as around the holiday table, bridging generations through these values. These aren’t just lessons for the classroom — they’re lessons for life.
Reconnecting With Peers, In Real Life: At a time when social media can often shift conversations online, StoryCorps’ initiatives help students engage in real, meaningful conversations. As one teacher whose class participated in The Great Thanksgiving Listen noted, “It was wonderful to witness my students grow as they learned through the lived experiences of others.”
Real Voices, Real Impact: StoryCorps not only enriches student lives, but also ensures that their voices — and those of their families — are preserved as part of our national history. “[Recording a conversation] just made me realize that my story does matter. I’m not just a statistic or a random kid. I’m my own person, and what happens to me in my life is significant and important.” – Amirah, student
Breaking Down Barriers: StoryCorps can also break down barriers, helping students engage beyond their friend group. “It made me think that everyone does matter. Not only their story, where I would usually come to class and just focus on my friends or the people that were around me instead of having an understanding of other people in the classroom and who they are outside of the classroom.” – Jacob, student
Join Us in the Classroom: Parents and educators can bring the power of StoryCorps into their classrooms and homes through StoryCorps Education. These resources will help you and the young people in your life explore the power of civic engagement, understanding, and connection through storytelling.
Thank you for your continued support of StoryCorps and our mission to preserve and share humanity’s stories.
About this series
Inside StoryCorps takes you behind the scenes to uncover what it takes to bring to life the most diverse anthology of American voices. Explore the full series here.