With all of this ongoing political rhetoric, I can’t help but think of teachers getting up every morning and facing their students in this radically divided nation.

Their daily goal is to create lifelong learners and diverse thinkers, all the while proving high academic proficiency under the rigorous standard-based system – with the goal of preparing students for jobs that quite possibly do not exist within today’s changing and evolving technology.

This is not an easy task, but teachers do it every single day with grit, determination and good humor. No doubt this task is exponentially more difficult in a climate of not only alternative facts, but also an administration that is shutting down scientific funding and reporting.

Teachers know that the hallmark of our future is productive citizens who think for themselves in this ever-changing world. Question: Does dismantling basic truths of science and fact truly “Make America Great?” I’ll speak for the educators: I think not.

Julie True Kingsley, M.S.Ed

South Portland