Navigating The Current Political Climate in the Classroom

By: Jadyn Lewis

Schools and districts have become yet another battleground for American politics; most prominently, debates on the role of the federal government in public education. A 2024 survey conducted by EducationWeek found that over one-third of educators either avoid political discussions entirely or lack tools to address growing polarization in their schools. 

As students absorb messages from national news, social media, and family life, many arrive at school carrying the weight of political turmoil, fear, and confusion. School should be a sanctuary—a place where students feel emotionally safe, supported, and empowered to explore their identities and beliefs. Unfortunately, increased politicization of public education is making that harder than ever.

Debates about curriculum content, book bans, and teacher restrictions have had a chilling effect on classroom dialogue across the country. A 2022 National Education Association (NEA) survey reported that one-third of schools faced attempts to restrict students’ access to social-emotional learning and school library books. Meanwhile, many teachers say they’ve been barred from teaching about marginalized histories or discussing current events relevant to students' lived experiences.

This silence can be harmful, especially for historically marginalized students who are often most affected by exclusionary policies and political rhetoric. Rather than ignore the political climate, educators must find safe, structured, and compassionate ways to help students process and navigate it.

To support student well-being while maintaining an inclusive, trauma-informed classroom, schools and educators should focus on three key areas:

1. Implement Robust Civic Education

Civic education fosters informed citizens who can critically assess political issues, advocate for change, and stand up for their rights. Yet in many schools, these lessons are being stripped from the curriculum. 

When students have the knowledge and resources acquired through civic education, they are better equipped to advocate for the educational experiences they desire. Thus, restoring and strengthening these programs is essential.

2. Strengthen Media Literacy and Critical Thinking

Rampant political polarization affecting schools is exacerbated by social media and AI, as reported by educators in surveys conducted by the EdWeek Research Center in 2024. Strengthening students’ ability to assess information, recognize bias, and analyze political messaging is critical to combating disinformation. 

Recent surveys of high school students conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union show that many students feel their teachers tend to highlight skewed perspectives on historical events and figures, largely due to government-imposed limitations on what teachers are allowed to teach. By teaching how to think critically and analyze the credibility of sources, educators can help students navigate historical and political issues independently and responsibly.

3. Prioritize Students’ Mental Health and Emotional Safety

In addition to creating highly charged classroom environments, The current political climate has instigated deep-seated division, leading to highly charged classroom environments. From targeted hate speech in the media to fears of political violence, many students, particularly those from marginalized communities, are feeling the emotional toll.

Educators can’t shield students from every news headline, but they can create safe spaces where students feel heard, validated, and supported. Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps students develop emotional regulation, identity awareness, and resilience—all crucial for navigating difficult social conditions and being able to focus in a stable learning environment.

The following are additional strategies, tips, and activity ideas to help teachers navigate the current political climate in ways that prioritize students’ mental health and wellbeing:

General Tips / Strategies:

• Center core values (empathy, justice, respect) over partisan debates

• Encourage personal reflections (i.e. focus on how issues impact students, not political ideologies)

• Offer a list of non-partisan media resources for informed discussion

• Acknowledge emotions — fostering empathy and compassion for how students feel

• Empower students to use their voice in ways meaningful to them

Lesson Ideas / Activities:

📰 Media Literacy:

• Analyze political rhetoric using real news clips or media sources

• Compare news sources across the political spectrum using tools like Harvard Library’s media bias chart

• Define implicit and explicit bias, examining how it is present in our daily lives and the media

🗳️ Civic Education & Engagement:

• Teach the history of youth protest and safe demonstration practices

• Guide students through mock debates, student-led campaigns, or local civic action projects

🪷 Social-Emotional Health:

• Routinely begin class with a mindfulness exercise or grounding activity such as meditation or breath-work (tip: register here to use our Mindfulness Labs platform!)

• Build in time journaling time for private self-reflection

• Hold empathy circles or check-ins to process current events on an emotional level without need to explicit political discussion