I don’t have many memories from third grade other than who my teacher was, who my friends were and who the president of the United States of America was.

On Jan. 20, 2009, I remember walking into my small third grade classroom at Immanuel Lutheran School and my teacher had the television on, something that was almost as rare as what was about to happen. My teacher sat us down to explain that today was going to be normal except we were going to watch the 44th president, Barack Obama, take an oath that named him president. I remember not being excited that he was going to be our president and all my friends agreeing. However, my teacher told us that no matter who we wanted to win, it was important to watch history being made. Also, we talked about respect. This six letter word meant more than me just watching this new guy become president. This six letter word meant for the next four years, I would respect Barack Obama, because he was the president.  

Jan. 20, 2017 had little meaning even though the only president I have ever known said goodbye and Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States of America. WHS failed to make our nation’s government, politics and new president a matter of importance. Some students were fortunate enough to be allowed to watch the Inauguration in class. However, students like myself had to watch it hours later on their own time.

The Inauguration was historic not because of who the new president is but because America has successfully achieved another term of being a republic and allowing the people to have a voice—which is unheard of in many countries. Instead of focusing on the success of this 238-year-old experiment we call home, some teachers let their own personal beliefs get in the way and hindered the students’ ability to learn. Even if internet services were down for some teachers, it is still important that the changes made on Jan. 20 regarding our government should have been talked about by every teacher because in these moments are when life lessons are taught. WHS missed an opportunity to teach the next generation of voters about the transition of powers, the rights protected under our Constitution and respect for others no matter their beliefs.