COLUMBUS, Ind. — In the wake of the violence Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol, Greg Lewis acknowledged that it would be tough to ignore the subject in his two U.S. history classes he teaches at Columbus East High School.
“But there certainly is no playbook for something like this,” said Lewis, the social studies department chairman.
Historical records show that the last time the Capitol was attacked was in 1814 by British forces during the War of 1812.
“One of the first things I will do is discuss with students what they already know about what happened,” said Lewis, who has long won praise from students for leading such delicate discussions in an impartial fashion without favoring a particular political party.
In recent days, he said all 20 students students in one class especially were unaware of the Georgia Senate runoff elections Tuesday, and, with the exception of one student, also unaware of the ceremonial certification of Electoral College votes Wednesday. Lewis mentioned such facts when asked if he considered high school students “revved up” about political passions in general.
“I would not say they are revved up,” he said.
Lewis, on the other hand, has long been so. He attended the past two Presidential inaugurations at the Capitol.
“And I would have loved to have the opportunity to go again this year,” he said.
But he pointed out that many teens seem to get most of their national news from social media.
He said he probably would open a class session or two with a brief, video news recap so unaware students could then be included in a discussion — one that he regularly reminds students must be done with respect.
“They’ve got to feel safe to freely speak their mind, as long as their sharing is not injurious to others,” he said.
Columbus North High School government teacher Jerry Mihay said he will await guidance from Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. leaders before he broaches with students the subject of Wednesday’s violence. Mihay said such classroom discussions sometimes can be “treacherous ground.”
“Sad and unprecedented times,” Mihay said, adding that he was relieved that Congress resumed its duty after its session was interrupted by protesters entering the House chambers.
