“Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity, or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world.”
– Paolo Freire
This dichotomy is at the heart of the challenges educators face today, especially with public education in the United States increasingly becoming a battleground with reactionary forces targeting issues of race, class, and LGBTQ rights. With a second Trump term now looming, educators have grown weary about the consequences of an emboldened and empowered right wing. For this article, we talked with several teachers from around the country to discuss some of their major concerns.
Anti-immigration
Donald Trump first gained national political attention with his infamous escalator ride in 2015, which marked the beginning of a campaign filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric. During his bid for a second term, he pledged to deploy the U.S. military to deport all undocumented individuals in the country.
Such a sweeping policy would profoundly impact the hundreds of thousands of children who are integral members of diverse school communities nationwide. The removal of these students from their schools would have devastating effects on their emotional and social well-being.
Educators from states like Texas and New York, for instance, have expressed grave concerns over the inhumanity of such proposals. With approximately 620,000 undocumented K-12 students in the United States, according to the social welfare organization FWD.us, the scale of the potential harm is staggering.
These concerns are echoed by educators we spoke with who have witnessed firsthand the struggles their students face, as they grapple
“Having taught Haitian children and immigrant children, how will the heightened anxiety with mass deportation impact children’s ability to focus and learn?”
“I’m concerned for my migrant and immigrant students that make up about 80% of my school.”
“Immigrant families are declining public services, such as counseling, because of the fear that they could be deported or arrested.”
“Parents that are being deported often have to leave their children with relatives or close family friends.”
When students are forced to carry the weight of fear and uncertainty about their lives outside of school, their education inevitably suffers. Instead of focusing on their academic growth, these students are forced to grapple with the fear of losing their homes and support networks. If these policies are enforced as promised, schools with large immigrant populations will face devastating consequences, tearing apart the very fabric of their support systems.
Palestine solidarity
Although Trump and his supporters often portrayed him as anti-war, his actions reveal him to be as much an imperialist as any other leader. With $100 million in support from media mogul Miriam Adelson, he is poised to remain a loyal ally to the Israeli government when it comes to the latter’s policies in Gaza and the broader region.
During his first term, Trump proudly moved the U.S. Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, a move that signaled his full endorsement of Netanyahu’s aggressive policies.
Lately, Trump and his allies have gone so far as to equate anti-genocide protests with support for terrorism. He even vowed to deport students on visas for expressing solidarity with Palestine, blatantly contradicting his hollow rhetoric about freedom of speech.
While the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden supported the genocide and local Democratic officials in many areas cracked down violently on protests, Trump is likely to intensify surveillance and hostility, escalating the repression further. Educators who express solidarity with Palestine face unique challenges.
“I was already being retaliated against for my solidarity with Palestine, so I just expect more of the same. Republican fascism instead of ‘Democratic’ fascism.”
“My principal explicitly told me not to talk about what’s happening in Palestine as it could offend students. She said nothing about any other wars or political issues.”
Educators who have spoken out in support of Palestine are all too familiar with the consequences of administrative retaliation. As reactionary forces grow bolder, these brave individuals are likely to face even harsher crackdowns for their efforts to shed light on the issue.
In many public schools, the only meaningful discussions about the ongoing genocide will come from courageous educators who take the risk of addressing it discreetly, without the knowledge or approval of their administration.
“Patriotic” education
During his campaign, Trump laid out a vision for education reform, vowing to “reclaim our once great educational institutions from the radical left and Marxist maniacs.” His plan included establishing a new credentialing body to “certify teachers who embrace patriotic values and support the American way of life.”
He also proposed cutting federal funding for schools and colleges that teach “critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content,” while providing incentives to states and schools that align with his agenda. This has left educators who strive to teach the truth about history and social relations deeply concerned.
“Patriotic education, as proposed by Trump, seeks to rewrite curricula to align with a narrowly defined and ideologically driven version of American history.”
“I worry about the push towards a so-called ‘patriotic teaching of history.’ What implications will that have on my students and my practice?”
“I’m concerned about what will be taught. How they will continue to try to ‘edit’ history.”
The term “patriotic education” serves as a euphemism intended to promote reactionary views on race, gender, and class. This approach could significantly shape the political ideologies of young Americans for generations, reinforcing narrow and ideologically driven perspectives.
It is crucial for educators to resist these narratives and strive to present history in its most accurate and honest form, ensuring students develop a well-rounded and critical understanding of the past.
Eliminating the Department of Education
With the support of his billionaire allies, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, Trump has vowed to abolish the Department of Education, claiming that he will return control to the states. However, it remains unclear whether critical programs such as Title I funding, financial aid, and services for special education and IEPs will be absorbed by other government institutions or face complete dismantling. This uncertainty raises serious concerns about the future of these essential supports for students and schools.
“I’m concerned for the educational system as a whole and if he does eradicate the DOE how that is going to impact children of color, children with special needs, and children in lower income families and communities.”
“I worry that high poverty schools will be completely abandoned so that anti-union charter schools become the only choice.”
While there are countless other concerns weighing on educators, these represent just a few of the most pressing. In the face of these mounting challenges, educators shoulder an immense responsibility—not only to teach but also to resist.
Whether it means standing up for immigrant students, pushing back against propaganda disguised as patriotic education, or advocating for the resources necessary for all children to succeed, educators must remain steadfast in their commitment to truth and justice.
The classroom has always been a site of struggle, and it is clear that the battle for a liberatory education system that serves all students is far from over.
The authors are members of the Educators Subcommittee of the CPUSA Labor Commission.
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