Civics and history teachers: How are you bringing the 2020 election into your classroom?

Poll worker Wardell Chambers tears stickers Tuesday, March 3, 2020, while voting at Pine Hills Community Center in Memphis. (Max Gersh / The Commercial Appeal)

Guiding students through an election cycle is a big task in normal times. 

Social studies, history, government, civics teachers — we know you’re busy helping students understand the mechanics of the Electoral College, find ways to feel civically involved, and eventually process the results of the presidential race and local ones, too.

These aren’t normal times. Some of you are trying to reach students through a screen, and also connect this moment to the ongoing national reckoning about racism.

We’re looking for teachers willing to give us a peek behind the curtain, before, on, and after Election Day. How are you planning for the weeks ahead? Are there lessons you’re excited about or conversations you’re dreading? Do you have ideas you’d like to share with other educators? How has the pandemic changed your work? What are your students struggling to understand?

If you’re open to sharing, fill out the form below. (Elementary school teachers, we want to hear from you too!)

If you are having trouble viewing this form on mobile, go here.

The Latest

The MSCS school board voted last week to shutter five schools by the end of this year. That leaves over 1,200 students to find a new place to go next fall, with the district extending its priority transfer deadline to accommodate last-minute changes.

The district wanted to use the operating millage to pay off capital and revolving fund debts ahead of schedule. The ruling will not allow it.

The survey is in: Parent coordinators told us what they want the city to know about their jobs.

Newark Public Schools is trying to address overcrowding but finding available land to do so is tricky. The district will hold a public hearing on its proposal in late March.

Two MSCS board races will be decided by the first ever partisan primary for the position on May 5. Seventeen candidates are vying for the four open spots.