Navigating the Political Landscape

President's Corner

Education in this country has been political on some level since its beginning. However, over the past decade, polarization and partisanship have increased markedly as political parties and factions have clashed over contentious topics.

Our differing values and ideals have been put in the spotlight as polarized issues from pandemic response to social justice to book censorship have played out on school stages. Contention and strife over adult issues is not helpful to the learning and well-being of our youth.

As educators and education leaders, we all need to remember and remind our communities of our core values focused on what’s best for all students. We must navigate the political landscape with our students in sight as our north star and our rallying cry, regardless of the politics or demographics of our districts and communities.

As we work with our districts, our communities and elected representatives at all levels, we must remember this: For the most part, people want to work together for the benefit of our young people. Although the agitators may be louder, more of our community members support the core mission of educators as we quietly go about our work.

Achieving unity requires a commitment to depoliticize education issues for the benefit of all students, now and for generations to come. A few simple strategies can help heighten and highlight this alignment.

Focus on the local impact. While education is a national topic and political target, its practice and impacts are local. Our primary focus should be serving the students and families in our local schools, advocating for programs and policies that address our local needs.

Local goals may include closing technology gaps, supporting mental health, developing high-quality teachers and leaders, securing school funding, addressing bullying or providing resources for students who are unhoused.

Reach out broadly. Share your mission and collaborate with as many varied stakeholders as possible, including community service organizations, businesses, faith partners and political representatives.

Each of these organizations has the potential to offer something of value to meet the needs of students, be it in the form of insight and perspective, funding or partnership, or furthering your district’s mission and message.

Listen to understand. Everyone has an opinion about your district’s policies and programs, especially those that are controversial. Even if you don’t agree with a stakeholder’s viewpoint, listen to understand their why. You will have a better chance of finding common ground and helping them see that, ultimately, you want the same thing: happy, healthy, well-educated kids.

Keep it simple. In partisan environments, many people will rally behind or against a specific program, policy or position they don’t understand simply because someone they respect or identify with advocates about it.

Superintendents must explain issues in terms that their community members understand — without jargon, politicized speech or condescension. Link the program or policy to the shared goal of doing what’s right for students.

Support each other. Leverage your networks and share resources, challenges and solutions with your colleagues. Make it a point to be available for new superintendents navigating this politicized climate for the first time. Mentor them, share strategies and pull from your past experiences. Every school leader, new and seasoned, needs support.

With collaboration and unwavering support, we can navigate our politically charged landscape by rallying our communities around our common purpose: ensuring our students are supported and able to learn.

Gustavo Balderas is AASA president in 2024-25.