What you need to know about teaching in a second Trump Presidency [a guide for educators]

We know that the political climate shapes not only our society but also our schools and classrooms. With Donald Trump entering into a second term as President, educators are going to face additional challenges navigating teaching in the context of an even more contentious, divided, and unjust society. As teachers, we want to do everything we can to help support our students and help them succeed, and we’ll go over some strategies to keep in mind. 

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

• Understanding what might be coming in classrooms under a second Trump presidency 
• Building a safe and inclusive classroom for all kids
• Navigating difficult conversations and fostering empathy
• Understanding the issue of school curriculum censorship
• Teaching civic and digital literacy 
• How to join the movement for change in schools

At Little Justice Leaders, we’ve worked with thousands of parents, caregivers, and educators to help educate kids about topics of social justice. We’re also building an Educators for Justice Coalition to help fight for justice in schools. 

Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or other educator, this article will help you make sense of how to think about teaching in a second Trump presidency. 

Let’s dive in. 

 

Understanding What’s Coming

During Trump's second presidential term, teachers are already anticipating the expansion of specific education policies, a re-emergence or intensification of hateful rhetoric in the classroom, and certain student groups feeling unsafe at school and in our communities. These realities will impact our classrooms and schools. It's essential for teachers to stay aware of these upcoming potential shifts so we can proactively support our students and adapt our classrooms as needed.

  

Creating a Safe and Inclusive Classroom

One of the most important things we can do as teachers is make sure our students feel safe in our classrooms. A supportive and inclusive classroom environment will be more critical than ever. Do what you can to establish clear norms that promote respect, empathy, and open dialogue. This foundation allows students to express their feelings and concerns without fear of judgment or exclusion. 

Encourage students to share their experiences and viewpoints, showing them that their voices are valued and their perspectives matter. This is true regardless of whether their perspectives align with our own or not, but it does not extend to cover hateful language, which cannot be tolerated in the classroom. 

Immigrant students, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and students of color may face heightened anxieties or challenges. Create an environment where students feel seen, heard, and protected. Collaborate with families, other school staff, and community organizations to provide resources and reinforce students' sense of safety and belonging.

If you’re able, indicate to students that they are safe in your classroom. Put up a pride flag or sticker, diversify your classroom library and decor, and include positive representation of people of color in your curriculum. These small shifts indicate to students that you see them, value them, and will work to protect them. 

That being said, these steps are just the start to make sure students are safe in our classrooms. 

   

Navigating Difficult Conversations and Fostering Empathy

Difficult conversations are likely to come up, especially as students will be processing changes in policies as they come up in the coming years. When political topics arise, create a space where students feel safe to share their thoughts while maintaining a balanced and respectful tone. While you may not want to or may not be able to share your personal views, you can invite students to learn about social and political issues with empathy.

Use open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and understanding, such as:

• What are your thoughts on what you've heard about this topic?
• How do you think other people might feel about this situation?
• How might this impact different groups of people in different ways? 
• Why might someone else feel differently than you do about this topic? 
• What can we do to support one another during uncertain times?

These questions will help encourage students to think deeply about issues, consider other perspectives, and develop empathy for those who are different from them. It also allows you to take the spotlight off your own views and instead invite your students to share their voices. 

If possible, use books and other media to help kids start to understand different perspectives. For example, if the topic of immigration comes up in your class, read a picture book or chapter book from the perspective of an immigrant child. Watch videos of immigrant families talking about their experiences. Use stories to invite students to develop empathy and understanding of an experience that may be different from their own.  

Listen actively, validate students' feelings, and use these moments to teach empathy and constructive dialogue.

   

Understanding School Curriculum Censorship

The Trump administration has promised to crack down on schools that teach about issues of diversity, equity, and justice. Already, 44 states have attempted to or successfully banned topics related to race, gender, LGBTQ+ identities, or history. Only six states (California, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Vermont) and the District of Columbia have not attempted to pass such a ban yet. 

Inspiration for these laws and bans originally came from an executive order signed by then-President Donald Trump in 2020. While the trend of introducing these so-called “divisive concepts” or “anti Critical Race Theory” bills has slowed, we are likely to see a re-emergence of these efforts as Trump prepares to return to the White House. 

It’s critical to stay up-to-date on these laws if you’re working in a public school to ensure that your job is safe. That being said, many teachers with some level of privilege are choosing to disobey these policies in protest, if they’re willing and able to risk their jobs. 

It’s important to understand what you can do legally in your state. Even if there are certain topics you cannot cover, do not avoid all topics related to justice for fear of breaking the law. If possible, take some time to understand your state policy to ensure you can continue to teach for justice in a way that will keep you within legal regulations. 

    

Teaching Civic and Digital Literacy

Helping students understand democracy and civic engagement is essential for developing informed, active citizens. If you’re able, it’s important to teach about the structure and function of government at the local, state, and national levels in age-appropriate ways. Depending on the level your students are at, this can include simple explanations of the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, the legislative process, and how laws and policies are created. 

You can also consider educating students on the electoral process - how candidates are nominated, how voting works, the reality of voter suppression, and the importance of participating in elections at all levels of government. Introducing topics like voter registration, campaign finance, gerrymandering, and the history of voting rights can give students a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges of democracy. 

Encourage students to think critically about how policies and leadership decisions impact their communities and lives. By understanding these connections, students can develop a sense of agency and responsibility.

This will look different depending on your students’ ages and background knowledge, but there are simple ways to introduce these topics, for example with kids’ books like: 

• Lillian’s Right to Vote by Jonah Winter
• Voting Rights by Kevin P. Winn
• Stacy Abrams and the Fight to Vote by Traci N. Todd
• Vote for Our Future! by Margaret McNamara
• For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and Why It Matters by Jeff Foster and Julie McLaughlin
• Equality’s Call by Deborah Diesen

Beyond understanding the system, it's important to help students develop the skills to actively engage as citizens. This includes teaching research and critical thinking techniques to analyze political and social issues, as well as communication skills for effectively advocating for the things they care about. Providing opportunities for students to interact with local government, attend town halls, or participate in community service projects can further reinforce these civic responsibilities.

Digital literacy is a key component of civic engagement. Students need to learn how to identify reliable sources of information, detect misinformation, and understand how technology and social media can influence the political landscape. Teaching about misinformation, propaganda, online privacy, cybersecurity, and digital citizenship can help students be informed and discerning in online spaces. 

     

Managing Teacher Stress 

Teaching during a politically turbulent time can be stressful, to say the least. Ensuring that you are following policies (whether from the school, district, or government) while also making sure students feel safe, moderating difficult conversations, and teaching about justice is difficult work. Prioritize self-care and find support from colleagues, friends, or mental health professionals if you are able. Being advocates for our students starts with taking care of ourselves.

Connect and take action with fellow educators to foster a sense of solidarity and shared purpose. Teachers shouldn’t have to face these challenges alone. Professional organizations, online communities, and local networks are all spaces where you can come together to share  and find resources, seek advice, and work towards creating change in schools. Staying connected with others who share your values and experiences can give you the support you need to get through this difficult time. 

Despite the potential challenges of teaching during Trump's second term, you have the power to create a classroom or school that is safe, respectful, and inclusive. By fostering empathy, showing support, and teaching important skills for civic literacy, you can continue to guide your students toward understanding, resilience, and active participation. Your work in shaping informed, compassionate citizens is more important than ever.

   

Want to join a movement of educators fighting for justice in education?  

If you care about fighting for justice and equity in our schools, join the Educators for Justice Coalition. 

The Coalition is a space for teachers, administrators, and other educators across the education system to come together and work towards building a more just, inclusive school system. Your voice and your activism is needed. Join us in this movement today!