A BRI Teacher Council Member Shares Her Proudest Moment
<p><em>Note: May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week. The Bill of Rights Institute is sharing the perspective of some of its National Teacher Council members and how they teach civics in their classroom.</em></p>
<p><em>By Ashley Grant</em></p>
<p>When you are a teacher, it is easy to get hung up on the challenges. To help kids succeed, we often must focus on deficits and not strengths. In the day-to-day processes of education, it is easy to miss the beautiful moments that brought us into the profession to begin with.</p>
<p>I was reminded of this a few years ago by a student and her National History Day project. Every year, I encourage my students to find a topic for their projects that spurs their interest. Luckily, the themes of National History Day are broad enough that my students can always find something that interests them.</p>
<p>That particular year, I had a student who was incredibly gifted in understanding the world around them and the motivations behind politics. They truly possessed an understanding beyond her years. She chose a theme that focused on the struggles for equal rights faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. The project was incredible. Her parents were extremely proud and supportive. As for me, I was proud. As I graded her project, I could not help but think it was one of the best ones produced by my students.</p>
<p>However, not everyone was supportive of my student or her choice of topic for her project. Many questioned why I allowed her to research the topic to begin with. Some even went so far as to suggest I display it in the back of our media center, where it would not be seen. As for my student, they faced backlash from other students, ones who have not yet understood the Golden Rule.</p>
<p>One day, my student came to me. I fully expected them to ask me to let them choose a different topic and redo the project or at the very least, to hide it so no one else could see it. However, my student thanked me. They thanked me for teaching them about the Enlightenment, John Locke, and natural rights. They thanked me for teaching them about Tinker vs. Des Moines. What I taught them in class had inspired them to stand up for their project and what they believed in.</p>
<p>In that moment, I was reminded that what Social Studies teachers do has an incalculable impact on our students. When we guide them in understanding their rights, we empower them to change the world. What I taught gave them the knowledge and courage to stand up for something they believed in.</p>
<p>As for the project, well, it was voted the winner in our school that year! It seemed my student’s bravery inspired a few others too. That was one of my proudest moments in my teaching career.</p>
<p><em>Ashley Grant teaches social studies at Greene County Middle School in Snow Hill, N.C. She is also a member of the Bill of Rights Institute National Teacher Council.</em></p>