As an avid tech nerd, gaming enthusiast, and digital native, I have always been one to test new technologies, push the boundaries, and make sure students can see the uses of technology in their everyday lives. I used ChatGPT when it was first showcased, and had it create a list of reasons why scholastic esports were important to use in school. Gaming, computer science, and AI all blend nicely together in the world of education. Then, a few years later, I found that same prompt and prompted ChatGPT to update my prior request. It gave me two different options this time, and in much more of my own voice. Below are the two different prompts. Let me know in my social media polls which one works best!
Response 1:
Why Esports Belongs in High Schools: An Instructional and Engagement Powerhouse
After nearly two decades in education—spanning classroom teaching, instructional leadership, and higher education support—I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of student engagement. One of the most impactful and often overlooked tools to reach today’s learners is esports. Whether students are competing at a high level or casually connecting in a club environment, esports offers high schools a dynamic platform for instruction, inclusion, and innovation.
A New Pathway for Engagement
Not every student connects with traditional extracurriculars. Esports offers a new, highly relevant option—one that speaks their language. As someone who’s built both a computer science pathway and a scholastic esports program from the ground up, I’ve seen students who struggled to find their place suddenly light up when handed a controller or asked to lead a strategy session.
Esports clubs provide an entry point that feels familiar and exciting. Students engage not only in gaming but also in teamwork, leadership, and communication. I’ve coached students who started off shy or academically disengaged and watched them grow into confident leaders, shoutcasters, analysts, and even aspiring coders.
Inclusive by Design
Unlike traditional sports, esports is inherently inclusive. It doesn’t discriminate by physical ability, gender identity, or socioeconomic background. I’ve seen students who might otherwise be sidelined become integral members of a thriving community. In our club spaces, students with IEPs, English language learners, and those from diverse backgrounds came together over shared goals and mutual respect.
Casual players are just as important as competitive ones. Whether they're helping moderate a Discord server, creating team logos, managing social media, or simply enjoying the community, there’s a role for every student.
Real-World Skills in Action
In my time as a NASEF Fellow, Mentor, and now Community Leader, I’ve helped other educators tap into the full educational potential of esports. When structured intentionally, these programs teach far more than gameplay. Students learn:
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Communication and Collaboration – Every match is a team effort. Students learn to give and receive feedback, resolve conflicts, and adapt strategies in real time.
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Digital Literacy and Tech Fluency – From streaming and shoutcasting to hardware troubleshooting and software configuration, esports cultivates essential 21st-century skills.
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Critical Thinking and Decision-Making – Strategy, adaptability, and analysis are core to gameplay—and all transferable to STEM fields and beyond.
And let’s be clear: esports isn’t “just gaming.” It’s broadcasting. It’s event planning. It’s graphic design. It’s business. It’s coding. In my time as Director of Secondary Services at Harrisburg University, I worked to align dual enrollment and workforce development programs with the kinds of real-world skills esports fosters. The career connections are already there—we just need to build the bridges.
A Culture of Belonging and Well-being
There’s also a social-emotional side to this work. Esports clubs give students a safe, welcoming space to be themselves. They form friendships, build community, and find a sense of purpose. During some of the most isolating moments of the pandemic, our esports program became a lifeline—students kept showing up not just for the games, but for each other.
Looking Forward
High schools should embrace esports not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of modern student engagement. When structured thoughtfully, these programs blend learning, community, and fun in ways that are hard to replicate elsewhere.
Whether you’re running a varsity program or just starting a casual club, esports is more than just an extracurricular—it's a future-ready, student-centered instructional tool. And it works.
