In this episode, Trina and Amanda discuss the challenges and emotional turbulence surrounding the recent election. Trina begins by acknowledging the difficulty in having an apolitical conversation about the election but emphasizes the necessity of giving teachers a voice. She and Amanda assert that being anti-Trump is not synonymous with being anti-Republican and underscores the harm Trump's policies could inflict on education, particularly on low-income and special education students.

Amanda shares her perspective, stressing the need to respect differing viewpoints and the importance of discussing political matters in a manner that respects students' and parents' beliefs. The conversation pivots to the hardships teachers face, including navigating the tumultuous events which were spun through the lens of political dogma such as COVID-19, the climate disasters, and the ever-changing political landscape without sufficient support.

Trina delves into deeper systemic issues, such as illiteracy and the influence of oligarchical power structures on American democracy. She critiques both political parties for their roles in perpetuating these problems and advocates for campaign finance reform and increased civics education. Amanda echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the need for teachers to be more involved in the governance of education and the necessity of a strong, reformed Department of Education.

The episode concludes with both speakers calling for unity and the bridging of political divides among educators to combat the current crisis in K-12 education. They invite listeners to join the conversation, regardless of their political affiliation, and to support the movement to save K-12 schooling.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:33 The Challenge of Being Apolitical
01:29 Critique of Trump and the Republican Party
04:30 The Struggles of Teachers
06:04 The Role of External Forces
06:42 Illiteracy and Education System Failures
15:18 The Importance of Civics Education
23:24 Campaign Finance Reform
26:27 Conclusion and Call to Action

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