How 4j's Superintendent Could Have Inspired, Not Divided

If I were interim superindeant, here's how I would addressed the election results with district staff.

Email Subject: Supporting Our Students with Resilience, Hope, and Respect

Dear 4J Staff,

Thank you for your commitment to our students and our shared community. As we step into our classrooms today following an election season that has stirred many emotions, we recognize that each of us—and our students—may be feeling something different. Some are elated and hopeful, others may feel concern or uncertainty, and all of these feelings are valid. Our role today is to provide a steady, supportive presence for every student, meeting them where they are.

In a world that often feels unpredictable, our schools can be a foundation of stability. Our students look to us not only for knowledge but for reassurance and guidance in navigating both change and continuity. Today, let’s help our students understand that diverse perspectives and emotions are natural and that they have the inner strength to move forward with resilience and respect.

Our Role as Educators: Teaching Strength, Perspective, and Adaptability

The foundation of education is built on more than just knowledge; it’s about preparing young people to face the world with confidence. Our role is to nurture a spirit of resilience and help students see moments of change, celebration, or challenge as part of life’s journey. If students come to us with feelings of worry or excitement, let’s use those moments to remind them of their strength, their ability to navigate life’s ups and downs, and the importance of respecting others’ viewpoints. The values of empathy, respect, and understanding are what will guide them—and us—through this time of change and beyond.

Supporting Students Who Are Thrilled

For students who feel excited and hopeful about the election results, it’s important to acknowledge that their happiness is valid, and it’s absolutely okay to feel joyful and proud. We want them to know that positive emotions are just as valid as any other feelings and that celebrating this moment can be a healthy, natural response. However, we can guide students to celebrate in a way that’s both respectful and considerate of others who may feel differently. This is an opportunity to teach “winning with grace,” showing that they can fully enjoy and express their excitement while also showing empathy toward those who may be disappointed. This thoughtful approach to celebrating can foster a stronger, more connected community within our school.

Supporting Students Who Are Grieved

For students who feel disappointed, worried, or even grieved by the election results, it’s essential to help them see this as an opportunity for resilience. Encourage them to understand that this moment is one part of a much larger journey and does not define their future. Remind them that they possess the strength to overcome challenges and that difficult times often bring out new strengths and understandings. By guiding them to view adversity as a chance for growth, we can help them build confidence in themselves and their ability to face any future setbacks.

Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces

Every student deserves to feel welcome and valued at school. By fostering an environment where diverse perspectives and identities are celebrated, we equip our students with the tools to engage thoughtfully and compassionately with others. Let’s continue to promote open, respectful conversations where all students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and experiences. Each student in our classrooms should know they are valued for who they are, and that their future holds promise regardless of any specific event or change.

Moving Forward Together

Our goal as a district is to cultivate a community where all students learn resilience, find hope in challenging times, and understand that every moment is an opportunity to grow. Today and every day, let’s continue to strengthen the foundation that our students rely on, showing them that life’s ups and downs are part of their path toward greater strength, empathy, and adaptability.

Actionable Steps for Supporting Our Students

Model Calm and Resilience: Show students that we can navigate change with composure and confidence. Encourage them to see challenges as opportunities for growth, reinforcing that setbacks are temporary and manageable.

Remaining Neutral and Supporting All Students

As school staff, it’s essential to remember that our role is not to share or promote our personal feelings or agendas, but to create a safe, welcoming environment where every student feels seen and supported. By maintaining a neutral stance, we can focus on guiding students through their individual experiences, helping them process their emotions and build resilience in a balanced, inclusive way. Our job is to provide stability and encouragement, meeting students where they are and supporting them as they learn to navigate complex feelings. In doing so, we build trust and create a school culture that empowers students to think for themselves, respect one another, and grow into confident, adaptable individuals.

Together, we are helping our students become adaptable, hopeful, and empowered.

With appreciation,

Colt Gill
(he, him)
Interim Superintendent
Eugene 4J School District

Instead, this is what the so-called leader of 4j said:

Hello Everyone -
Today, with little rest or time for reflection, we return to our schools, coworkers, and students after a divisive national election season.
With the re-election of President Trump, emotions will be at the surface across our community. The 2024 election has stirred strong feelings. As many in the country celebrate, so will many supporters here in Eugene. We also have many people in our schools and community who are feeling concern, trepidation, fear, and anger over the results. Please take time to breathe today. Care for yourselves, and strive to provide additional grace to one another.

Most of our students will return to school today. Even in divided times, maybe even more in divided times, our students rely on the routine of school, the steadfastness of the adults in our system, and the love we provide to them each and every day. It may be harder for some staff to be at work today, but this is a moment when some students will come to school with more uncertainty, more fear than yesterday - thank you for stepping forward for our students.

The tension and an anxiety many will carry today is not unfounded. The President-Elect has stated that we will deport legal and illegal immigrants. He has stated that he will eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. He has spoke out against, marginalized, belittled, and/or intimidated immigrants, people of color, people with disabilities, people with LGBTQ2SIA+ identities, women, the media, Democratic Party members, people of Muslim faith, and others he disagrees with. When someone with such enormous power and responsibility willingly targets whole classes of people in this way; the weight, fright, and dread some will carry today and into the future is founded and requires no explanation.

As educators and caregivers, we carry the honor and heavy responsibility of creating safe, welcoming spaces where students learn from one another’s experiences. Even when lives and views differ, we encourage conversations grounded in empathy and respect. Our work may have become more difficult today and in future days, but our commitment to each other—and to each student—is to maintain classrooms that are welcoming, balanced, and supportive.

Our schools will be safe and inclusive places for all. Harassment, discrimination, and any behavior that targets others based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status, or socioeconomic status are not acceptable in the Eugene 4J School District.

Our public schools are places of shared learning. For learning to be successful we must lean into the core values of safety, care, and inclusion. Students cannot learn if they, their families, or our staff feel unsafe. Our students are children, they need to know we care for them, and that we love them for exactly who they are. Our public schools are for everyone - full inclusion, full stop.
We must strive to overcome implicit bias in ourselves and the institutional racism and bias that is embedded in our system and structure to fully include each and every student.

We welcome every member of our community - every child, family member, and educator. We honor all backgrounds, all identities, and all stories. Our role is to provide an environment where every student can express themselves freely and respectfully. Together, let us continue building a district where students feel empowered, understood, resilient, and appreciated for who they are.

Thank you to each of you who make our district a caring and inclusive community. Let us move forward together, building a district that reflects the very best of our shared humanity. In doing so, we create a future where all our children can thrive. We are community and will be here for one another, today and every day.

Thank you,
Colt Gill
(he, him)
Interim Superintendent
Eugene 4J School District

How Can Christians Still Support Trump?

Understanding the Christian Conservative Perspective on Trump's Conviction

Well, it’s been an interesting two weeks, right? If you haven’t been following, Trump was convicted of numerous felonies related to falsifying business records to conceal a hush payment, all while running for the presidency. Such actions, if true, constitute a crime.

I’m not going to delve into whether I think he’s innocent or guilty. There are enough voices discussing that, and frankly, I think it’s divisive. Opinions vary widely depending on whom you ask. As it stands, he was convicted in a court of law by a jury of his peers.

Bridging the Political Gap

What I want to do is bridge the gap between those celebrating his convictions and those grabbing their bug-out bags, fearing America’s collapse. I believe both reactions are problematic and wrong.

One of the biggest confusions I see from the left is how people can still support a convicted criminal for the presidency of the United States. I want to try to explain that. I am not trying to change minds, just trying to help answer the question or confusion.

Context and History

First, you need context and history. Conservatives believe in a small government because they see it as a necessary evil. If the government becomes too big and powerful, it will eventually become corrupt. This is the lens through which conservatives view things, explaining their usual opposition to more government spending or programs.

Now, I’m not saying conservatives aren’t corrupt. I think most Republicans are corrupt, which is why I, just so you know my perspective, am a libertarian and not a Republican.

From the start, most conservatives do not trust the government, whereas most Democrats believe the government is the solution to the nation's problems. This is why Democrats support increased government spending on programs like food stamps or initiatives for the homeless. Conservatives, however, would prefer churches or private parties handle charity.

Christian Conservatives

Trump

This brings us to Christian conservatives, where I think most of the left is the most confused. How can Christians support a convicted criminal? Isn’t there moral hypocrisy here? No, there isn’t, and I’ll explain why.

Christians believe that Jesus Christ is God. Way back when, Jesus was charged with several offenses by Jewish leaders and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, including:

Jesus was crucified, executed as a convicted criminal. If you missed it, the Christian God was also a convicted criminal and was punished by death.

Views on Legal Reform

Another aspect of why some conservatives continue to support Trump, despite his convictions, lies in their perspective on the laws he violated. Many conservatives believe that some of the laws Trump is convicted of violating shouldn’t exist in the first place. They see these laws as part of an overly complex and burdensome legal system that stifles freedom and economic growth.

For example, Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to hide a hush payment. Many conservatives view the laws surrounding business regulations and campaign finance as overly restrictive and often selectively enforced. They argue that these regulations create unnecessary obstacles for business owners and political candidates, leading to a system where only those who can navigate the complex legal landscape succeed.

Conservatives often call for a comprehensive overhaul of the legal system, advocating for fewer regulations and simpler, more transparent laws. They believe this approach would reduce corruption and ensure that laws are applied more fairly. The conviction of Trump, in their eyes, highlights the need for legal reform rather than the need for more laws to convict people.

By pointing to examples like excessive business regulations, conservatives argue that the current legal framework often criminalizes actions that should not be criminalized. They believe that reforming the legal system to reduce unnecessary regulations would prevent similar convictions in the future and create a more just and equitable society.

Trump and Conservative Support

No, Trump is not God, nor is he even close. However, if Christians praise and worship a God who was a convicted criminal and punished by death 3,000 years later, it’s not too hard for that same group of people to support a mere human who falsified business records. It’s not a huge leap.

Biblical Obedience

But wait—doesn’t the Bible say to obey the governing authorities? Yes and no. In a nutshell, Christians are to obey governing authorities unless such obedience requires them to violate their moral obligations as Christians. For example, if a law, like one permitting abortion, violates their moral obligations, they can and should become dissidents. God is King—not the American government, not our president, and not Trump or Biden. Christians' loyalty is to Christ alone.

Good vs. Evil in Christian Belief

To further understand the unwavering support some Christians have for Trump, it’s important to delve into the Christian belief in good versus evil. Christians believe that the world is a battleground between good and evil forces. This worldview significantly impacts their political beliefs and actions.

Christians see themselves as part of a spiritual war against evil, which they believe manifests in various forms, including political corruption, moral decay, and societal injustices. This belief system influences their political choices, often leading them to support leaders who they perceive as fighting against these evil forces, even if those leaders are flawed.

For instance, many Christians support Trump because they see him as standing against what they perceive as moral and societal decay promoted by the political left. They believe that supporting him, despite his flaws and convictions, is a way to combat greater evils.

God Uses Broken People

Another key aspect of Christian belief that influences political views is the understanding that God continually uses broken people to further His cause. Throughout the Bible, God often chose individuals with significant flaws to lead and accomplish His purposes. This pattern provides a powerful context for understanding why some Christians support leaders who may have personal failings.

These examples illustrate that God’s work is not hindered by human imperfections. In fact, God’s strength is often highlighted through the weaknesses of those He chooses to use. This belief underpins why many Christians can support leaders like Trump, viewing his flaws not as disqualifying, but as an opportunity for God’s grace to manifest.

By recognizing that God can use anyone, regardless of their past or their failings, Christians may see their support for Trump as consistent with the biblical narrative of redemption and divine purpose. This perspective helps bridge the gap between those who question how a Christian can support a convicted criminal and those who view such support as a natural extension of their faith.

Conclusion

Understanding the Christian conservative perspective on Trump’s conviction requires a deep dive into their worldview and religious beliefs. From the historical context of government distrust to the biblical examples of God using flawed individuals for His purposes, it becomes clearer why some Christians support Trump despite his legal troubles. Their support is not about condoning crime but about seeing the bigger picture of redemption, grace, and the ongoing battle between good and evil. By acknowledging these factors, we can better understand the complex and often misunderstood reasons behind their political choices.