Jackson-Reed students and staff expressed worry and unease over President Donald Trump’s recent actions targeting school curricula and removing protections for transgender and undocumented students.
In the nearly three weeks since his inauguration, Trump has signed more than 30 executive orders. His directives on education explicitly target “radical, anti-American ideologies” in curricula, primarily surrounding race and gender.
The orders threaten to withhold government funding if schools do not comply or if they support transgender students, including using their chosen names and pronouns. Separately, the administration was preparing another order to significantly shrink the Department of Education.
“It feels very opposite to the original vision of America as a welcoming and diverse place,” said junior Sage Deora.
Teachers said that they feel concerned about the potential threats posed by Trump’s actions, but many remain determined to continue teaching as they have been.
“When I read the executive orders I felt kind of lost,” said US History teacher Matthew Burgoyne. “The orders are written very vaguely and it made me question one, what am I allowed to teach and two, who is going to report me. I feel like I am going to constantly be surveilled on what I am teaching in my classroom.”
The “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” executive order signed on January 29 instructs the US Attorney General to coordinate with state and local authorities to “file appropriate actions against K-12 teachers and school officials who violate the law.”
Social studies teacher Michelle Bollinger said that teachers in her department “are committed to teaching in an equitable way that represents the diverse experiences of our students.” Bollinger added: “In general, DCPS seems to value [equity] too, and I am encouraged by that.”
AP African American Studies teacher Ariel Alford said she plans to “keep doing what I’m doing.” Alford added that the real question is, “if there is a complaint, then how are the principals, administrators, curriculum heads, people at Central Office. What are they going to do?”
JR administrators were awaiting guidance from DCPS on how to proceed, one official told The Beacon. A weekly Washington Teachers’ Union newsletter shared a press release from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten with its members. “This plan is a direct attack on all that parents and families hold dear,” she said.
“DCPS has provided no information and honestly the federal government has not provided any information,” Burgoyne said. “At this point, I would not expect anything from administration or DCPS because we’re all trying to figure this out.”
Nearby, in Montgomery County, the Board of Education issued a statement on January 30 that pledged to stand by the values of the school system, including “learning, relationships, respect, excellence, and equity.” The statement, signed by board president Julie Yang and superintendent Thomas W. Taylor added that they “intend to use all legal means necessary to uphold them.”
“We are committed to maintaining local authority over our curriculum, teaching, and learning,” the statement said. “And we will fiercely support our teachers and staff as they implement our curriculum and policies.”
Trump’s executive order also threatens to withhold school funding if transgender or nonbinary students are called by their preferred name or pronouns; if students use bathrooms and facilities that best align with that of their gender identity rather than their biological sex; or if students participate in athletics or extracurricular activities “specifically designed for persons of the opposite sex.”
“Why does my identity have to be such a focal point to other people? Why do you care so much?” said a trans JR student who asked to remain anonymous. “It makes me mad because it’s my life.”
Burgoyne said that when he read Trump’s orders, “I feared for all my students. I feared for their understanding of US History, I feared about the omission of the ideas of privilege and oppression, I feared for trans students who are being erased by the federal government.”
“We are dedicated to being compassionate educators who respect students’ perspectives, their identity, and what they ask of us,” added Bollinger.
Trump’s administration has also granted immigration agents the jurisdiction to enter and perform arrests at schools, a previously protected location. Multiple teachers have said that students have expressed anxiety about immigration policy.
DC’s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, issued new guidance on many immigration topics including how schools can prepare in case federal enforcement officers enter school premises.
“It’s scary to me how suddenly all this can happen and change so many people’s lives,” said a student who asked to remain anonymous.
“The current administration is so loud about their blatant hatred and racism that it is having such a large widespread impact,” said another student.
Burgoyne reinforced that, no matter what, “our priority is the community.”
