Supporting Teachers as Professionals in the Wake of Trump's Inauguration

Todd S. Hawley - January 22, 2025

Alright y'all, another election in the books. After few wild months of Trump making threats and promises all while nominating highly unqualified people for cabinet positions, Donald J. Trump has been sworn in for a second term in office. I am sure that I will be writing about the impact his administration can and will have on public education, but that is for another day. As of today there has already been a nazi salute at the inauguration, Trump has signed executive orders designed to change the world in his image - including pardoning all January 6 rioters. The purpose of this column is to highlight they ways the public (yes, that's you!) can support teachers as professionals during a second Trump administration. If you only read this far and decide that you have read enough, let me quickly say that teachers are professional and they need our support!

Given that public school classrooms are one of the few places where citizens with varied backgrounds, life experiences, economic status and political beliefs come together for six to eight hours a day, five days a week, it is inevitable that public schools and classrooms will feel the emotional weight of Trump's inauguration. Everyone in a public school brings their "real world" with them when they arrive at school. After any election, and especially one as divided as this one, emotions will run high, students will want to discuss the impact of a new President, their fears and excitement. Certainly, there will be disagreement. Teachers, as they always do, are tasked with providing space for civil discussion and to position student citizens to do what many of us are currently incapable of, listening across difference, explaining positions with evidence, even when emotions are high and to deliberate the issues without the need to win the debate. This is a vital part of the job of professional public school teachers, and they will have their hands full as Trump begins his second term as President. No matter what heppens during the next four years, teachers will need our support!

As we begin to make sense of the world during a second Trump presidency, the role of teachers in our communities remains as critical as ever - probably even more so given the dark rhetoric coming from the President Elect. The polarization and division that has marked this election cycle will continue and be present in schools and classrooms as Trump takes office. Teachers will find themselves at the forefront as students make sense of the direction the county has chosen to take. In 2024, as in 2016 and 2020, political beliefs and the candidates people voted for, separate neighbors and families and influenced student behavior in school. These tensions are present in schools and individual classrooms. Even though most students aren't yet old enough to vote, they still hold opinions about the candidates and of the election results. Teachers always do more than simply teach content. Following elections, teachers are asked to position students make sense of the results and often to help heal communities. Given the contentious nature of the 2024 election, it is even more important that we support teachers as professionals. Teachers hold communities together as the aftermath of the election impacts their classrooms, schools and communities.

Acknowledging the Emotional Toll of Election Cycles on Teachers

Y'all know good and well that you are either feeling empowered that Trump was elected to a second term as president or feeling deflated and defeated at the prospects of Trump's potential actions as president. Election seasons are emotionally draining for everyone, but for teachers, the weight is always unpredictable. Educators care deeply about the issues at stake, and they experience the anxieties, frustrations, and celebrations that students bring into the classroom after a new President takes office. In many ways, teachers serve as the emotional healers of their communities—helping students understand and process the world around them while managing their own reactions to the outcomes.

Teachers stand in the aftermath of elections where their role becomes one of creating space for students to make sense of what they hear at home, on social media, and in the news. This emotional labor is often invisible but deeply impactful. Trump's intent to launch the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history, his direct threats to eliminate the Department of Education and the reality that states are passing laws to effectively remove transgender students from sports as well as bath and locker rooms will surely impact the work of teachers in public schools across the nation.

Supporting teachers after this election means acknowledging that they are human, too, and that their emotional well-being matters. Schools and districts should provide spaces for educators to process the intensity of election cycles. Professional learning focused on teacher well-being, emotional resilience, access to counseling services, and peer discussion groups can create a much-needed space to process and collaborate on ways to discuss the election results as people and as public-school teachers. We must recognize that teachers are doing more than teaching content—they a community healers and community builders.

Advocating for Teacher as Professionals

Post-election periods often bring heightened oversight to classrooms, with outside pressures potentially causing teachers to reconsider discussing certain topics or social issues. This oversight comes from parents, state legislators and President Trump's own comments regarding his thoughts on what public schools should teach. This dynamic can undermine the professional autonomy of teachers, who have been prepared to guide their students through difficult conversations with care and insight.

Supporting teachers means trusting them as professionals. They are the experts on their students and their subject matter, and they should be trusted to make decisions about how best to approach current events in the classroom. School boards, policymakers, and communities must resist the temptation to impose restrictions that stifle free thought and open dialogue.

By advocating for teacher autonomy, we allow teachers to do what they do best: teach. Teachers know how to manage sensitive topics while fostering critical thinking, and they deserve the respect of their communities as they navigate these challenges. Political interference in the classroom not only undermines educators but also deprives students of the opportunity to engage with the complexities of the world in a thoughtful, informed way.

Recognizing Teachers as Community Healers and Community Builders

Perhaps the most powerful way to support teachers post-election is to recognize their role as community builders. Teachers don’t just instruct—they help weave the social fabric of our communities, bridging divides and fostering understanding. In the aftermath of an election, when political lines may seem sharper than ever, teachers are often the ones who bring people together.

Communities can show their support for teachers by involving them in broader conversations about how to heal and move forward. Inviting educators to community forums, town halls, or other spaces where local issues are discussed gives them a voice in shaping the future. Teachers bring a unique perspective, informed by their work with young people, that can help guide communities toward empathy and collaboration.

Publicly celebrating teachers through recognition events, social media campaigns, or small acts of appreciation can also go a long way in showing that their work is valued. Teachers need to feel seen and appreciated, especially when the political climate makes their job harder than ever.

Reaffirming the Importance of Civic Education

In times of political division, the classroom becomes a rare space where young people can engage in meaningful civic education. Teachers have always played a central role in promoting democracy by teaching students about governance, civil rights, and the importance of civic engagement. After a heated election, their work becomes even more crucial.

While teachers are tasked with fostering these critical conversations, administrators and parents also have key roles in supporting this work. Administrators can ensure that teachers have access to updated resources, nonpartisan materials, and support systems that make discussing difficult topics easier. But beyond resources, administrators must stand behind teachers as they engage students in conversations that might be uncomfortable or challenging. The support of school leadership is vital in maintaining a classroom that fosters free expression and critical thinking.

Parents, too, play a part in supporting teachers, no matter the election results or their own political beliefs. Building trust with teachers and understanding that their goal is to raise informed, thoughtful, and empathetic citizens is essential. Parents can reinforce at home what is being taught in the classroom—respect for diverse opinions, the importance of civic duty, and the value of engaging thoughtfully in the democratic process. When administrators, parents, and teachers work together, it strengthens the community’s ability to move forward with respect and unity, even when disagreements arise.

Creating Spaces for Dialogue and Healing in the Classroom

After a contentious election, classrooms often become places where students process their fears, hopes, and frustrations. To support teachers, schools need to create environments where dialogue and healing are prioritized. Teachers should feel empowered to facilitate discussions that allow students to express their thoughts and feelings in constructive ways. Structured dialogues, student-led discussions, and collaborative projects can help students channel their emotions into positive, action-oriented activities.

Training teachers to lead these conversations with empathy and care is essential. Schools should invest in professional development that equips teachers with the tools they need to foster respectful, meaningful dialogue. Teachers must feel supported in setting boundaries for these discussions and ensuring that classrooms remain safe spaces for all students, regardless of their political views or personal backgrounds.

At the same time, teachers need the backing of school leadership to enforce these norms. Respectful, open dialogue doesn’t happen by accident—it is the result of careful planning and ongoing support from the entire school community.

Supporting Teachers as Professionals Means Acknowledging Their Role as Community Healers and Community Builders Post-Election 2024

As Trump is sworn in on January 20, 2025, teachers will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of citizens and leaders. Their work in the classroom is vital to the health of our democracy, and their ability to foster empathy, critical thinking, and civic engagement will be more important than ever in the post-election period. Supporting teachers as professionals means investing in their well-being, advocating for their autonomy, and recognizing their role as essential community builders. In doing so, we are not just supporting our teachers—we are investing in the future of our communities and our democracy.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!