Being An Educator During The Trump Era | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Being An Educator During The Trump Era

I promise your child will be safe in my classroom.

15
Being An Educator During The Trump Era
ABC News

The debate as old as time, Republicans vs. Democrats.

Except now, we have a real issue at hand. Thousands of people across the country are in absolute disgust as Donald Trump becomes our 45th President as he won the Electoral vote. People are not particularly ecstatic about this Money-loving, "my father gave me a small loan of a million dollars" man, and more importantly, minorities are being targeted all over the United States as White Supremacist groups have risen from the shadows, and are taking the idea of Trump's presidency as an opportunity to segregate America and plunge us back into the dark ages

In less than two years, I will be an educator, it has always been my dream to know that I can influence a group of kids and make them shine with ideas and freedom of expression. Since Donald Trump was elected president not even a full week ago, kids as young as five are being targeted due to their race and ethnicity in schools.

The real question I have, is why is this happening?

Why did all of a sudden, people neglect all ideas of equality and abandon all hope of peace, to raise their children in a society filled with hate?

I have done my research and have heard stories from so many people of so many backgrounds about their lives since 11/8/16. These were some of the stories I heard;

A Muslim eighth-grader says other kids, including some who were her friends, have called her a terrorist. That's not something she's heard until this year.

A Hispanic student who was born in the U.S. says he's been told to "go back to the border" and "it's not right for you to be here."

Sunday, the phrase “Hang a n****r from a tree” was painted over a sign that said “equal rights.” Police are taking action against it.

Monday, Raw Story reported an incident where “Heil Trump” was painted."

A message of unity taken from a quote from activist Shaun King was painted onto a sign. It read, “Dear Muslims, immigrants, women, disabled, LGBTQ and all people of color, we love you boldly and proudly. We will endure.” Someone spray-painted Trump 2016 over it.

How do we make it safe for our kids? How do we approach a student in our class who is attacking a young Muslim girl for her traditional dress? How do we explain to a black boy why no one will play with him at recess?

One educator at Columbia College, a women's liberal arts school had something to say in regards to the women who enter her classroom. In a letter to her students, Dr. Jade Huell made aware that her classroom would be one without hate and without judgement. She made it known that she sees what is going on in the world, and how it affects everyone. You can read the full letter here.

Pictured above, Dr. Jade Huell

"I just got off the phone with a student who was berated in class by a professor because she refused to acknowledge Trump's Presidency. I refuse to accept his presidency. It is hard to teach in this environment because while my instinct is to protect my students, I find myself needing to protect myself. Trump's rise has brought out the worst in America, the worst in humanity. I am still not prepared to confront the worst elements of our culture in my classroom. In short, I'm afraid for my students and I am just plain old afraid."

In less than two years I will be in a classroom filled with open minds and hearts the size of mountains. In less than two years I will have to face the innocence being lost to those who feel unsafe in a setting that should be the safest place they can have. In less than two years I will have to have a tough discussion with kids of color and ethnicity about how important they are to me, and to everyone else rooting for them. In less than two years, I will have their brains to mold, and to teach them life lessons that will carry them on through their 12 years of schooling.

In less than two years, I will make sure that my classroom is a hate-free, safe zone for anyone who enters it. In two years, I will explain to my kids, unbiased, about what the President's role is. In two years I will get questions about who I want to vote for in the next election. In two years I will have coworkers who do not hold the same views and values as me, but I will respect them, and choose not to discriminate. I will raise the kids that come in my classroom to do the same.

And to the parents of any future kids I have, I can promise you that your children will be safe with me. Your children, as well as myself, will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. I promise that my classroom will be a safe space for them to be free-thinkers, but also have compassion and love.

In two years, I will make a difference.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

1819
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

448353
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

20999
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44126
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments