Teaching citizenship

I’ve been volunteering off and on for six years. I originally taught math. But in 2006, Rosann Naim asked if I could teach Civics. She found a book that covered the process of applying for citizenship as well as the US history and government structures an applicant would need to know to pass the citizenship test.

At the time, immigrants were staging large scale demonstrations and talk of changing immigration laws (or enforcing laws on the books) was widespread. There was legislation in congress that would potentially open immigration to many, and the test for citizenship had just been revised. So it was a time of conflict and change. We had lively political discussions.

It is always gratifying to teach our hardworking and eager students. This class was even more intense because we discussed hopes and dreams. We talked about how to influence the government by voting and by communicating with elected officials. We made a photo of the class and sent a letter to our US Representative. I was amazed hearing how differently government functions in our student’s native countries.

We also looked at the founding of our nation and the successive expansions of who may become a citizen: the transition from colonial to state and federal structures; suffrage, Civil War, through Civil Rights. All of these changes came about with struggle, conflict, and debate. It was at times very difficult to be the privileged white male explaining to our students how change comes about in this country.

Because of work schedules, I was not able to finish that year. But I am back this year teaching writing. I saw many familiar faces, including Josefina Banda who was in my civics class. At the break, she was very excited to tell me she had applied for and received her Citizenship after taking my class. To my surprise, the main thing she got from my class were the practical instructions on how to fill out the forms, show up for the interview, and answer the questions. Forget all the historical insight and political debate. One of the most important things our school can do is make our students feel welcome and confident they can function in their newly chosen home.