Shadow Politics, July 25, 2021
Shadow Politics with Senator Michael Brown and Maria Sanchez and guest Jeff Foster
The Legacy of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, our guest is JEFF FOSTER, Author of 'FOR WHICH WE STAND: How Our Government Works and Why It Matters'. Government touches every part of our lives, and there is no more important job in America than teaching our youth about civics and government — including how it works and why they should get involved. With such distrust of government growing across the nation, Maria and I will discuss with Jeff Foster what we might do to engage young people who have a stake in America.
Guest, Jeff Foster
As an Advanced Placement Government & Politics teacher since 2001, Jeff Foster became well-known through his involvement after the February 14, 2018,massacre at Marjory Stoneman DouglasHigh School in Parkland, Florida.After the tragedy that occurred at his school, killing 17 students and faculty and injuring 17 others, many of Jeff’s students credited him with giving them the tools they used to activate the “Never Again” movement and the March For Our Lives. Foster was instrumental in organizing meetings –trips to Tallahassee and Washington, DC –which iswhy Scholastic approached himto writehis book, For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and WhyIt Matters.Jeff continuesto motivate and inspire his students to become active participants in government. He believes that one person can make a difference, no matter their age.With the political climate that has been brewing over the last several years, the transition of power, and the insurrection, it’s become even more important for kids to understand our government: where it came from, how it works and how we can bring aboutchange. In the words of Jeff Foster, “If you don’t participate, you can’t complain.”The book answers questions about the Constitution, the different branches of the government, the Electoral College and the various responsibilities of city, state and federal governments. And it does it in a way that’s fun and easy for readers young and oldto understand.Foster’s book covers a myriad of topics ranging from the capitol insurrection to the need for more extensive civics education in schools.“I always felt like I had a good nonpartisan voice, and I think one of the skills I have as a teacher is not only being able to relate directly to the kids but impart knowledge on them to where they’re looking at things from all sides,” said Foster, “and that’s sortof what you get with the book.”A Coral Springs native, Foster attended J.P. Taravella High School and then graduated from Florida State University. But it wasn’t until discovering a 9-to-5 job wasn’t for him that he decided to try his hand at teaching.He went back to school to take masters-level classes for his teaching certification, and in his mid-20s, after substituting at Coral Springs High School, Foster was hired to teach social studies at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.Jeff Foster is a lifelong Floridian and currently resides in Lake Worth with his wife Loren and their two young daughters, Lilly and Luciana.
Shadow Politics
Shadow Politics is a grass roots talk show giving a voice to the voiceless. For more than 200 years the people of the Nation's Capital have ironically been excluded from the national political conversation. With no voting member of either house of Congress, Washingtonians have lacked the representation they need to be equal and to have their voices heard. Shadow Politics will provide a platform for them, as well as the millions of others nationwide who feel politically disenfranchised and disconnected, to be included in a national dialog.
We need to start a new conversation in America, one that is more inclusive and diverse and one that will lead our great nation forward to meet the challenges of the 21st century. At Shadow Politics, we hope to get this conversation started by bringing Americans together to talk about issues important to them. We look forward to having you be part of the discussion so call in and join the conversation. America is calling and we're listening… Shadow Politics is about America hearing what you have to say. It's your chance to talk to an elected official who has spent more than 30 years in Washington politics. We believe that if we start a dialog and others add their voices we will create a chorus. Even if those other politicians in Washington don't hear you — Senator Brown will. He's on a mission to listen to what America has to say and use it to start a productive dialog to make our democracy stronger and more inclusive. If we are all part of the solution we can solve any problem.
