The Political Act of Teaching -- Sierra Rankin

 The Political Act of Teaching

 Dear Protestor,

    Thank you for fighting for everyone. Thank you for standing up for the people who can't stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you. Thank you for putting yourself both physically and mentally on the line. Thank you for your visibility. You may or may not have signed up to be a defender of the Constitution but I admire your dedication to your community. Your passion for you cause is felt and heard. Whether it is by thousands of people or those closest to you, you, your voice, and your position matters. Thank you.

    I hope you know that there is a whole band of people behind you as you take your steps down the streets. I hope you know that you are making history. I hope you know that you are the face of your movement. You are the face that is a step in explaining the wants and needs of the people whom you fight for. You are the face they will put to a name. A movement is only as strong as the people who wear it. Wear that face with pride.

    I must ask, who taught you to stand up for what you believe in? Who has supported you up to this time? Was it a parent? A relative? A teacher? A community leader? Whoever they are, don't forget to give them their flowers, for I hope that one day you will be given yours for the work that you're doing today.

Sincerely,

An admirer

 

    This graphic has been circulating around my social media feed, especially during the many protests happening in the summer of 2025.  The most recent as of writing this piece was the June 14, 2025 nation-wide "No Kings" protest. The protest's message was to convey that those marching were against the actions being taken by the current president, Donald Trump. The graphic was first created by Deepa Iyer, a writer, strategist, and lawyer who works with many groups to align their actions with the people whom they are trying to support. This network was created to think about the different roles people show up in when it comes to advocating for a cause.

    Some are more known than others, like the disrupters and frontline responders. The disrupters are often shown on major news outlets. Disrupters are the people who are the ones marching on the streets with signs, megphones, and comfortable walking shoes. Frontline responders are the ones also marching but they carry supplies to help one another in the form of bandages, water, or anything else needed for those quick-time decisions. Many content creators that have come along my For You page have voiced that every role is needed, even if only a few are visible in the media. This has made me think which category I would fit in as an educator who will have to confront the after-effects of the changing political climate and the protests generated by said changes. 

    When I started the piece I was expecting to find exact definitions for each of the roles shown in the image. However, after reading some interviews and other informational pages, I have come to the conclusion that they are left vague on purpose. Iyer states the graphic is a "tool" for an organization to use when involving itself in social change (Iyer, 2017). It is not and should not be the end-all-be-all in terms of identifying someone's position in the in enacting social change. I have come to recognize that my definitions are possibly different from yours, but I will be using them to analyze my position as an educator in the social change map. As an educator, I believe I am a caregiver, a storyteller, a visionary, a guide, and a builder.

    Caregiver (adj.)- Someone who uses their access to resources to provide comfort and support to others. I view teachers as caregivers because we are the ones that work closely with those affected by today's politics. Students face the effects of legislation passed by people who haven't been in the classroom for some time. Students may ask why certain stories are suppressed or ask why they are learning about people who have died many years ago. Who is there to answer those questions? Teachers. Teachers have the opportunity to collaborate and nuture the minds of the future. In my early teaching career I have experienced dedicating time, money, and resources to the students I have served. I have witnessed the appreciation and care they have released tenfold as a result. Teachers are caregivers, bleeding hearts and all.

    Storyteller (adj.)- A person who uses their access to verbal language to recount the experiences of those who have lived before us. Teachers are storytellers. Teachers use their words and writings to connect to students all the time. Teachers utilize their curriculum to weave tapestries of tales that inspire. They use rich descriptions and lively talks to motivate students to tap into their innate abilities. They tell the stories of giants who walked amongst humans who shaped the world in which we live in. We continue to carry the lessons and stories of our ancestors to keep their voice alive and advice close to our chests. Teachers pass the words of the greats with each school year that passes, all in the hope of achieving their vision of what the future should look like.

     Visionary (adj.)- A human who creates an imaginary future that they hope to achieve. I think teachers can be lead visionaries. They have an insight into how students function together and as a class. Teachers work with students from many walks of life and are equipped with many lived experiences. This provides a broad perspective of what a future could look like. Teachers recognize that trauma can follow students everywhere, which influences their identities as students and people. This provides them with special insight of how actions affect many generations ahead. They have the ability to support students in the present but, I have full confidence that most teachers envision a future where students are all safe and secure. They can use their care, stories, and visions of the future to guide the next generation.

    Guide (adj.)- An adult who uses their knowledge, access, and time to provide direction for younger people to consider. Teachers use their care and stories to act as guides for the next group of leaders. Teachers act as another mentor for many students that enter their classroom. We act as step ladders, guardians, and cheerleaders for those put in our care for about nine hours a day five days a week. I mean, this about your favorite teacher, do you remember anything academic that they taught you? Or do you remember more about how they made you feel in their class? How did they support you as both a student and a person? They probably had a vision for what they hope for you to achieve in their class and after you leave their class. 

    Builder (adj.)- Anyone who works towards achieving a better tomorrow. Lastly, we are all building towards a better tomorrow. Whether it's creating their own school or shaping the culture of their classroom, teachers are constantly building and creating what they believe is an ideal place made for student learning. Teachers are trying to build their classroom based on the vision they have for themselves and their students.

    Teaching has never, is never, and will never be neutral. In fact, I think teachers are a pivotal part of enacting social change. Even as state legislators attempt to water down and shy away from a multicultural curriculum, that will never work in today's classrooms. Classrooms have always been a microcosm that reflect society. In the world's melting pot, why wouldn't American classrooms also be a melting pot of ideas and influences? The only answer I can come up with is that it should be. Teachers can act as the guides and builders of a world that values every and all voices.

Dear Protestor Teacher,

    Thank you for fighting for everyone. Thank you for standing up for the people who can't stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you. Thank you for putting yourself both physically and mentally on the line. Thank you for your visibility. You may or may not have signed up to be a defender of the Constitution but I admire your dedication to your community. Your passion for you cause is felt and heard. Whether it is by thousands of people or those closest to you, you, your voice, and your position matters. Thank you.

    I hope you know that there is a whole band of people behind you as you take your steps down the streets a step into your classroom. I hope you know that you are making history. I hope you know that you are the face of your movement. You are the face that is a step in explaining the wants and needs of the people whom you fight for. You are the face they will put to a name. A movement is only as strong as the people who wear it. Wear that face with pride.

    I must ask, who taught you to stand up for what you believe in? Who has supported you up to this time? Was it a parent? A relative? A teacher? A community leader? Whoever they are, don't forget to give them their flowers, for I hope that one day you will be given yours for the work that you're doing today.

Sincerely,

An admirer

Sources:

Iyer, D. (2017). About Deepa. Retrieved from The Social Change Map: https://www.socialchangemap.com/about

Iyer, D. (2017). Understanding The Framework. Retrieved from The Social Change Map: https://www.socialchangemap.com/home/understanding-the-framework