The principles of Stoicism offer a practical approach to life, with particular emphasis on living a good life through the cultivation of wisdom and the development of self-control. Still, the question remains: how can these principles be effectively taught to students in the modern world?

One way of teaching students about Stoic expression is through the use of role-playing scenarios to practice ways of handling difficult situations. By using these scenarios, students can develop an understanding of Stoicism’s core values, including the importance of controlling emotions, responding thoughtfully to events, and achieving personal transformation.

For example, lessons could involve assigning students a set of scenarios—such as someone cutting in front of them in line, being insulted by a peer, or receiving bad news—and providing them with Stoic tools to navigate these situations. Some of the tools that could be included might include breathing exercises, mental reframing, and visualization techniques.

The practice of cognitive restructuring is another technique that could be effectively employed in teaching about Stoic expression. Here, students would learn to question the validity of negative thoughts and beliefs and replace them with more constructive and positive ones.

In doing so, they would be able to develop greater self-confidence and resilience while learning to manage and regulate their emotions.
Group sessions could also be useful when teaching about Stoic expression. These sessions would be geared towards promoting open communication, developing interpersonal skills, and fostering mutual support among the students. Group sessions could also allow for peer feedback, which could help students reflect critically on their responses to difficult situations and help them identify areas where they may need further development.