The energy surrounding my classroom door was very high the morning of Wednesday, November 9th, 2016. The students couldn't wait to ask me if I had heard the news.
"Sra. Keaton did you hear?"
Of course I had heard! Donald Trump was our new president. I knew that my class which was 75% Hispanic would be anxious about this new development. I calmly explained that I had heard the news.
"Sra. Keaton, Donald Trump is going to send us to Mexico!"
Trying to keep the excitement and anxiety levels to a minimum, I reassured them in a quiet voice. "You are going to be fine. Donald Trump is not going to send any of you to Mexico."
I lied to my students!
Friday was Raul's last day of school. His father was deported. The family has moved back to Mexico. I felt so bad thinking about how I had quietly reassurred him that nothing would change for him. I believed that my words were accurate. How I wish that had been true!
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