We are living in a time of conflict, polarisation and, as educators, are being forced to deal with unprecedented challenges. With genocide, war and the every-day mainstreaming of previously considered extreme viewpoints, the pressures on teachers to makes sense of the world (while maintaining their own sanity), without becoming completely desensitised to it, has never been greater.
The striking reality of teaching today is that global issues are no longer remote or disconnected from our daily practice. Our young people are not only fully immersed in news that is being drip fed directly into their lives via screens, they are often living out these experiences directly, through family connections or the trauma of displacement. This makes the news not a distant global issue, but something deeply personal – it’s happened to our friends, to the people who are now part of our communities. This combination of nonstop news streams and the bearing witness to such events, brings a sharper focus making conflict feel close to home.
Since Trump’s election, it feels like every week brings a new twist to the geopolitical landscape, with the world constantly shifting in real time. Current developments in the war in Ukraine have added yet another layer of uncertainty and Trump’s assault on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion could dismantle the progress made, unless there is strong resistance. For children and young people, who are in their formative years, this is all hard to fathom, especially when they’re still figuring out the world, wrapping their heads around all this. They’re trying to make sense of a world that feels more divided and uncertain than ever, and they don’t always have the tools to understand the complex forces at play.
How does all of this play out in the classroom? Being a teacher is unique and there are few professions that offer such a sense of responsibility. One of the most interesting aspects of our role is having a cross-section of society in your classroom every single day. Getting to see firsthand how different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences shape identity and how young people see the world, is a huge privilege. But it can also come with great challenges. How do you help young people to make sense of the complex world around them?
Could it be as simple as providing space for students to ask questions, express their worries and explore different perspectives? In theory, perhaps. However, what happens when the questions are difficult, the views polarised and worries are overwhelming? How do we hold that space?
Amidst the chaos, teachers may be just as uncertain. So, it’s not about having all the answers. Perhaps it’s about being the challenger in the room, offering the other viewpoint, encouraging students to think critically, question assumptions, and consider perspectives they may not have thought of before. Another difficulty, as if we need more, is the spread of misinformation and disinformation and as educators we have a duty to help students navigate this too. This is where skills become crucial. Now more than ever, young people need to be critical thinkers, constantly analysing information. The classroom should be the place to practice this. We are into new territory, not only as teachers but in society as a whole. Progress can only come when we apply the principles of togetherness, collegiality and support. Together, we can safely navigate these unprecedented challenges.
