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Every teacher has their mortifying story of a student bringing up something taboo in class. Maybe it was something far too personal related to the student’s parents or a topic typically not discussed in a second-grade classroom. But there are times current events and societal changes can push difficult topics into the classroom. Whether and how teachers and professors talk about current events during contentious times is a complex decision influenced by students, parents, and school administrators.
Danielle Bernstein, a Possip intern majoring in Human and Organization Development and Sociology at Vanderbilt University, revisits insights from school leaders and parents on the complexities of teaching during contentious times in light of today’s political climate.
In 2021, Possip CEO and founder Shani Dowell hosted a webinar with Kimberly Robinson, Kevin Hoffman, and Tontra Love. The webinar focused on teaching during contentious times, particularly during a pandemic and a period of racial injustice. Though it’s been years since the last mask mandate, an upcoming election, foreign conflicts and resulting unrest on college campuses, and persistent discrimination against marginalized communities in the United States have pushed current events to the tips of many students’ tongues. Building off insights shared in the 2021 webinar, consider the following best practices when teaching during a contentious time like now.
Wanting to Educate And Protect Students in Contentious Times
Parents want their children to be educated and engaged with current events, but many parents don’t want political discussions in the classroom. With these competing desires, it can be difficult for parents to balance their child’s education and their personal beliefs. In this clip, Shani, Kevin, and Kimberly discuss this paradox and barriers that prevent parents from engaging with their student’s classroom.
The Argument for Current Events in the Classroom
As mentioned earlier, the decision to discuss current events in the classroom can be complex. With parents and students holding varying beliefs, conflict can seemingly be avoided if certain topics are avoided too. Shani, Tontra, Kimberly, and Kevin argue that discussing difficult topics can be beneficial despite possible parent backlash.
There are four key reasons to discuss current events instead of banning them.
Banning a topic typically backfires
Tontra explained that if you tell a student they can’t talk about something, the first thing they want to do is talk about it! Placing a ban on discussions of current events or contentious topics only encourages those banned discussions.
Help kids and young adults build the muscles to talk about difficult topics
Throughout our lives, we will all have conversations with people we disagree with; we will all have conversations that make us confront our biases and ignorance. Discussing current events in the classroom allows kids to build that muscle and engage in difficult conversations with their peers. As Kevin said, “Kids need to build the muscle of being able to talk about current events and life and politics and race” for the preservation of the country and the world.
Discussing current events in contentious times forces students to confront issues they wouldn’t otherwise
Talking about current events, especially those that disproportionately impact communities of color and other marginalized identities, allows kids without those identities to develop empathy and understanding. Kids need to be exposed to various perspectives and backgrounds so they can understand and combat racism, discrimination, and prejudice.
Discussions in the classroom encourage discussions with family members
Shani pointed out that if schools “provide the basis of a conversation then at home I can infuse my values onto it or what we believe or how we make meaning of that.” When current events are brought up in the classroom, they contribute to students asking their parents about their beliefs and perspectives.
The Importance of Community and Parental Trust
For teachers to feel more comfortable bringing up current events in the classroom, parental and community trust and support are vital. Shani and Tontra discuss below the importance of building trust and creating a safe environment for students.
As Tontra put it, “Even when hard things come up, if you’ve built community and you have trust, families will back you and engage you and be part of conversations even if it’s a conversation they’re not comfortable with.” If teachers decide to bring up current events, especially during contentious times, they must ensure they have the proper community and parental support.
Teaching during contentious times requires tailored approaches. Every classroom and lecture hall is different; every community is different. Teachers and parents alike must consider the many benefits of bringing up difficult conversations with students, and how to do it right.
Speed Read (tldr) Real Talk: Teaching During Contentious Times
1. Balancing Education and Parental Concerns: Teachers face challenges in discussing current events due to differing beliefs among parents, who want their children educated yet often prefer to avoid political discussions in the classroom.
2. Benefits of Discussing Current Events: Engaging students in discussions about contentious topics fosters critical thinking, builds empathy, and encourages family conversations, helping students develop skills to navigate complex societal issues.
3. Importance of Community Trust: For teachers to effectively address sensitive topics, they need strong support and trust from parents and the community, creating a safe environment that encourages open dialogue and engagement.
Read below for resources, tips, and the why!
