Trump claims public schools teach kids to ‘hate’ the US. That’s insulting - and false | Opinion
An open letter to all public school teachers, administrators, and staff:
As a local pastor in the greater Kansas City community, a parent of three and a former public school teacher, I felt the need to respond to some of the stuff I’ve been hearing recently and am reaching out to offer words of support and encouragement during what I know is an incredibly challenging time.
President Donald Trump’s remarks during his inauguration cast an unfair and deeply troubling shadow over public education and the work you do. The suggestion that our schools teach children to “hate our country” is not only false, but it is a blatant insult to the extraordinary dedication, care and expertise you bring to your school every single day.
This rhetoric doesn’t just misrepresent your work; it seeks to diminish its value and discredit the vital role you play in supporting the future of this nation. Yet, in the face of these unjust attacks, you continue to show up. You stand in the gap for your students, offering them stability, inspiration and a safe space to learn and grow.
From my humble perspective, the road ahead will not be easy. The difficulties and hardships you face — physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually — are already immense, and I’m afraid that they will likely grow in the days to come. Public education will continue to be a political and ideological battleground, with outside forces using it to advance agendas that often have little to do with what’s best for our children.
But please, do not lose hope. Now, more than ever, our schools must remain sanctuaries of growth, learning and compassion. They must be places where every student feels safe to be themselves and where every family, regardless of background or circumstance, knows their children are valued and supported.
For our LGBTQIA+ students, schools can be a lifeline — a place where they are affirmed and encouraged to embrace their full potential, free from judgment or fear. For immigrant families, schools offer a sense of belonging and opportunity, a place where their children can build a future rooted in the promise of the American dream. Your commitment to fostering these environments of inclusion and understanding is not only a testament to your professionalism, but also a powerful act of service to your community and country.
As a parent, I’m deeply thankful for the ways you create spaces where my children — and all children — can feel safe to learn and grow. As someone who has been in the classroom, I understand the dedication, creativity and patience it takes to meet each day’s challenges. Your work matters deeply. It matters to the students who look to you for guidance and hope. It matters to the families who entrust you with their children. And it matters to a society that depends on your courage, resilience and dedication to carry us forward. The challenges you face are real, but so is the profound impact you make every single day.
So, I want you to hear this clearly: I see you. I see your hard work, your intentionality, your sacrifices — and I see the difference you make. You are not alone in this work. You are supported by parents like me, by community members who value education and by a nation that depends on your success.
In these uncertain times, may you be encouraged. May you remember that the work you do — even on the hardest days — is part of something much bigger than any one political moment. You are shaping lives, and through those lives, you are shaping the future. That is a powerful calling, and it deserves our gratitude and our unwavering support.
With deep appreciation and hope,
Phil Woodson
