Washington, DC
PITTSFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal reverted to teacher mode Thursday afternoon when he paid a visit to the nearly 30 juniors and seniors in John Flynn’s American law class at Taconic High School.
The former classroom history teacher and current lecturer for the University of Massachusetts has a motto of sorts when it comes to engaging students in civics, politics and the governance of a society: “You can’t ask young people to love democracy if they don’t know anything about it,” Neal said.
In addition to required social studies and history classes, Flynn said Taconic students can choose to take elective courses like American law, dimensions of politics and juvenile issues, all of which integrate discussions in civics and current events.
“The congressman’s visit today ties into a lot of what we’ve been working on. The students have been doing a lot of thinking and had a lot of discussion during the government shutdown. This is a nice chance for them to learn more,” Flynn said.
After giving a brief history of the structure and responsibilities of the United States government, students were able to ask Neal questions, some prepared, some candid.
Senior Tierney Crocker made several queries, ranging from whether Neal’s pay was put on hold during the recent government shutdown (it was not) to his perspective of the seemingly constant outbreaks of public shootings. Neal said he favors a “tighter notion” when it comes to the sale of assault-style weapons and mandated mental health background checks prior to purchase.
When Neal asked if anyone in the class was considering to someday run for political office, senior Kylie Mason raised her hand.
“What office?” Neal asked the student.
“Definitely not president, but maybe Congress,” she said.
Mason also asked a few questions, including the congressman’s stance on this fall’s rise and appeal of student college loan rates and rising tuition costs. Neal admitted officials like him are partially to blame.
“We tend to favor expanded student aid, but what happens when we do that? Colleges raise tuition,” he said.
As a parent who put four students through college, Neal said he sympathized with the high school students’ concerns. He also lauded the offerings of local state public colleges — the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams and Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield — and encouraged students not to discount the benefits and resources those institutions may offer.
“Use the moment that you have to pursue the goal that you desire,” Neal told the students.
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