Teachers throughout St. Andrew’s have found different ways to integrate the election season into their classes. Through speakers, group discussions and hands-on activities, St. Andrew’s faculty are teaching teaching students about the impact of their vote.

 

Upper School students also got to hear from professionals who experience the election in different ways, including Al Quinlan, a Democratic pollster who worked for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign and parent to Michael ’20, and conservative writer Doug Heye, who previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications for former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

 

History teacher Amy Sapenoff has helped students navigate the current election cycle in her elective class, “US Politics in an Election Year.”

 

One of her goals with the course is to help students understand “how you can have a reasoned approach to looking at the elections and not just fall on your ideologies.”

 

“This dovetails with goals of the school,” Sapenoff said. “How do we inspire civil discourse around things that are pretty inflammatory?”

 

Her students have analyzed the most recent polls in swing states by creating a sticky note chart in their classroom. They have also discussed their observations of the presidential debates and news coverage of each candidate.

 

“I want to build up a culture among the students so they are more politically engaged and interested and feel like they have stake in the election,” Sapenoff said. “I don’t want them to watch it as a reality TV show unfolding.”

 

Ian Parks ’18 said he has enjoyed hearing different opinions in class and has learned how to make an informed decision when he goes to the polls.

 

“Being as objective and bipartisan as possible is the best way to proceed with elections,” Parks said. “Rather than assume your party is automatically right, be open to new ideas and learn about them too.”

 

History teacher Savi Tuber has led discussions with the entire Middle School about the electoral process and the current presidential race. Students compared political ads from the past, including the iconic 1964 “Daisy” ad, to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump spots running today.

 

In the classroom, seventh graders taught election terms and concepts to their sixth and eighth grade peers through “mini lessons” and all students had a chance to compete in an electoral process quiz bowl.

 

“They’re used to learning about what happened in the past, not current events,” Tuber said. “It’s a cool blend of the history of our country and our government, but it clearly has a specific and poignant impact on their lives today.”

 

First and second graders in our Lower School are learning about voting and historical presidential races in the library. Lower School Librarian Holly Kinnamont said “One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote” by Bonnie Worth and “Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History” by Don Brown have been popular selections.

 

Third graders in the Intermediate School will get to put what they have seen into practice later this year when they hold elections in the spring to select class representatives.