VIENNA, IL — Whether it’s the war between Israel and Hamas or the war in Ukraine, processing all the information reported on those conflicts can be overwhelming.
High school teachers guide their students through important conversations about current events.
Brandon McKinney, a history teacher at Vienna High School in southern Illinois, said students need to be able to talk to people about current events outside of school, especially as they enter the workforce and continue their education. Told.
Classes typically include weekly discussions about local, national, and international events.
Sr. Gabriel Duncan’s favorite part of class is talking with his peers.
“It’s definitely an open discussion. I like talking to my classmates, and like I said, I like it to be casual and easy to talk to and open,” Duncan said.
McKinney said it’s important to know what’s going on when it comes to foreign events, such as the wars in Israel and Ukraine, and domestic issues, such as the search for a U.S. House speaker.
As harsh as it may be, such topics cannot be avoided, he said.
“I hope that my seniors will become fine members of society. They will soon become voters and probably run for office, so they won’t be able to surface what’s going on in the world,” McKinney said. he said. “They need to form their own opinions and be informed.”
McKinney has specific advice for students approaching graduation.
“Stay informed, use multiple sources, and be politically active as an adult,” McKinney said. “These are scary times, but they’re going to be in the real world soon and they need to know what’s going on.”
As for Duncan, he said it will take some wisdom to have those discussions after graduation. He hopes to use the tools he learned in the classroom to have productive conversations after high school.
“You want to tell the truth, but it’s also important to be careful when you talk to someone. So, it’s really for mutual benefit,” Duncan said.
McKinney said one of the biggest challenges of her job is keeping students engaged with the material when they’re not interested in learning.
He said he wants his students to be ready for the real world when they graduate.
Students also said they set boundaries when it comes to images on social media.
They said it’s important to be aware of your own personal triggers, but also to stay informed and stay informed on current events.
