Teacher Tea
Can History Change the World?
American history education provides students with a foundation for understanding our country's past, present, and future. It also helps them develop critical thinking skills and a sense of civic responsibility. By examining historical events and movements, students can learn from past mistakes, celebrate successes, and work towards a more just vision of American society.
Should we be teaching our students about American history in a way that is ideologically neutral? Is it our job to impart certain values or political positions?
In “Schooling Steeped in Gratitude,” for Education Next, author Frederick Hess argues that this Thanksgiving, we should recommit to honoring the legacy of the United States, despite its flaws. He acknowledges the criticisms of American history, particularly regarding colonialism and slavery, but focuses instead on the importance of gratitude for the positive aspects of the nation's past.
Hess points to the contributions of figures like Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr., and the sacrifices made by countless others to build a more just and free society. He criticizes the tendency in education of reducing American history to a one-sided caricature, either as a heroic tale or a litany of sins.
Hess ultimately calls for a more balanced approach to teaching American history, one that acknowledges both our nation's achievements and its failures. He believes that schools should cultivate a sense of patriotism and civic duty, while also encouraging critical thinking and a nuanced understanding of the past.