Top 5 Ways to Support Schools Even When You Disagree Politically
You don’t have to walk the hallways of a school to feel the weight of what’s happening in education. It shows in the eyes of tired teachers, in the silences of children who carry too much too early, and in the strained voices of parents trying to protect their babies from a world that feels increasingly divided. The truth is, our kids are caught in the middle of adult battles they never asked to be part of. And while the politics rage on, their desks sit waiting. Waiting for someone to notice. To care. To show up—not just in words, but in action.
Back-to-school season should bring fresh notebooks, excitement and hope. Instead, too often, it comes wrapped in fear, uncertainty and tension. This isn’t about sides. It’s about students. And if we genuinely care about them, we’ll find a way to stand in the gap—together.
1. Focus on Students, Not Sides
Children are not political statements—they’re human beings with dreams and potential. You may not agree with a district decision or policy, but don’t let that stop you from applauding a student’s art project, attending a spelling bee or supporting a school performance. Redirect your energy toward uplifting the very ones education was built for.
Even small gestures—like sending a note of encouragement to a classroom or donating a book to the library—remind kids that their worth isn’t tied to grown-up arguments. Supporting students transcends politics; it’s about affirming their value and investing in their futures.
2. Volunteer Your Time or Skills
There’s something powerful about showing up. Whether you can mentor once a month, read to a class or help with a field trip, your presence sends a message: You matter to me. That simple act could be the turning point in a child’s self-worth or spark a lifetime of confidence.
You don’t need a teaching degree to make a difference—just a willingness to care. When children see adults from all walks of life giving their time, they begin to see the broader village that’s behind them. It’s in these quiet moments of connection that lifelong lessons about compassion and community are learned.
3. Support Basic Needs
It’s impossible to focus on multiplication tables when your stomach is empty or your shoes are falling apart. Maslow’s Hierarchy reminds us that before children can learn, they must feel safe and supported. Donating supplies, snacks or hygiene items may not be glamorous, but it changes lives in real time.
Many families are doing their best, yet fall short of meeting all their child’s needs. When schools have access to essential supplies, they become safe havens. By helping meet basic needs, we’re not just helping students show up—we’re helping them thrive.
4. Speak Positively About the School
Words shape culture. When children hear adults dismiss their school or degrade their teachers, they internalize that shame. Celebrate the good. Share the wins. Speak life into the space where your child spends most of their day—it matters.
Every hallway echo begins at home. If children hear us value their learning environment, they learn to value it, too. Let’s speak intentionally and generously about the people who pour into our kids daily, because our words build bridges or burn them.
5. Stay Engaged Without Being Divisive
Engagement doesn’t require a bullhorn or a viral post. It starts with asking questions, listening with compassion, and offering solutions instead of blame. Our behavior is the blueprint for our children—let them see unity, not division.
Being involved in your child’s education should never feel like a battleground. Yes, ask hard questions—but with respect. Stay present in the school community and commit to building, not breaking.
Politics never saved a community—people did. With Oklahoma ranking near the bottom nationally in education, we can’t afford to let division silence us. Our children are watching, waiting and wondering who will fight for them. Let the answer be all of us, not just with our opinions, but with our presence, our service and our relentless love for every student.
Dr. Tamecca Rogers serves as Director of Student Access and Success at Tulsa Technology Center. An award-winning author and filmmaker, she is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all her endeavors. Photo by Denice Toombs-Dotson with Lasting Impressions Photography.
