Secular Spirituality in Schools

Abstract

While it is appropriate that secular education be free of religion, it need not be free of spirituality. Public-secular school boards are charged with teaching students of all religions and no religion. Yet some of the most pointed crises in our schools—mental health challenges, loneliness, bullying, inequities for racialized students, and others—could be addressed by meeting students’ spiritual needs. Furthermore, many pressing social problems, including white supremacy and gender-based violence, are interconnected with spiritual crises. This article explores and synthesizes critical pedagogy and spirituality to construct a vision for secular spirituality in schools.