How local schools are teaching children about unprecedented events in politics

WEST MICHIGAN — West Michigan educators said students watched history in the making on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.

“I was just telling my students this morning, you’re getting a ring-side seat at something we’ve never seen in American history before," said Tony Moon, eighth grade social studies teacher at Portage West Middle School.

Political experts said that with all the divide in the country over the recent election, rebuilding the public's trust in politics begins with education.

“There’s a lot of still division in the U.S. and people who are angry and upset about the election outcome who continue to believe that the election was stolen," said Peter Wielhouwer, Associate Professor of Political Science at Western Michigan University. "I think there will need to be a lot of soul searching."

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Schools and teachers, more than ever, have been tasked with teaching children about American history, while explaining current, unprecedented events.

“There are definitely challenges in teaching some of that material but we have to, we really need to have those discussions," said Moon.

Eighth grade South Haven Middle School social studies teacher Mike Dubbink said his students already have political opinions.

“They believe left or right and not in-between," said Dubbink. "They’ve kind of formed that opinion already based on social media, friends, family.”

Dubbink said it's important for teachers to not let their viewpoints show.

“My role is to ensure they don’t know how I think politically," he said.

When asked how he avoid showing any bias in front of his students, Dubbink said he tries to get them to think about all views when they share opinions in class.

"You try to hear where they are coming from and also flip it sometimes and try to put another perspective in play," said Dubbink.

Moon added many students, just like adults, have already developed viewpoints of their own.

“What we try to do is focus on the content and the events and then allow an expression of what you think within a safe environment," said Moon.

Moon said he focuses on relating current events to the constitution with his class.

“To be able to look at a document that is 238 years old and to see why it was crafted this way and to see how it is playing out right now. I think it makes that very real for students," said Moon.

He said while current events have been unprecedented, the lessons have been applicable for students.

“Like all elected officials, personalities come and go but we have this system of government through the constitution that is very stable," said Moon. "That’s the thing that is the constant and that’s what we tend to focus on.”

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