A video showing a California teacher allegedly rewarding students who voted for Kamala Harris in a mock election with a pizza party — while excluding those who voted for Donald Trump — has sparked online debate.
The clip, initially posted on social media by the account Libs of TikTok, shows a mother confronting the teacher over the decision, which was reportedly intended to highlight differences in political ideology but has raised questions about fairness and bias in the classroom.
According to the video, the teacher told students that only those who voted for Kamala Harris in the mock election would receive pizza. When a concerned parent confronted the teacher, the educator reportedly defended the decision by saying, “Democrats are more for feeding the hungry,” justifying the pizza party as a reward aligned with Democratic values. The parent pushed back, expressing concern over what she viewed as the marginalization of students who supported Trump in the mock election.
Libs of TikTok’s post did not include details about the school, teacher, or parent involved, leaving the video’s context unverified by other sources. The footage begins with the mother discussing the mock election results with her daughter. The student tells her that classes voting for Harris would be rewarded not only with a pizza party but also with access to beauty supplies. Meanwhile, the class voting for Trump would receive neither incentive.
The video then cuts to what appears to be a phone conversation between the parent and the teacher, where the teacher confirms that out of five periods, only one class — the one that supported Trump in the mock election — would not receive a pizza party.
The teacher, heard over the phone, elaborates on her reasoning, saying, “The Democrats are more for feeding the hungry, free medical care, more services — just pay higher taxes, so I would be willing to buy pizza for the class.”
When the mother, clearly taken aback, presses the teacher on her choice, the educator appears unfazed and continues to make her case. “They just do what the conservatives do — which is pay for yourself,” the teacher is heard saying, implying that those in favor of Trump should adhere to what she perceives as conservative values of self-sufficiency.
In response, the parent offers to cover the pizza costs for her child’s class, determined to counter the potential bias in her daughter’s classroom. However, the video does not show whether the parent followed through with the offer or if the teacher allowed it.
A California teacher allegedly had students do a mock vote for Trump or Harris. Those who voted for Harris are rewarded with a pizza party while those who voted for Trump are not. pic.twitter.com/D7SHUsej6s
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 16, 2024
The viral video has since ignited debate, with many questioning the appropriateness of rewarding students based on their political choices, even in a mock setting. Some commenters argue that the incident is an example of bias in the classroom, pointing out that teachers hold significant influence over students and should maintain neutrality.
Critics argue that the teacher’s actions could be interpreted as a means of promoting one political ideology over another, potentially shaping young students’ views in a partisan manner.
Supporters of the teacher, however, suggest that the exercise was likely intended as a creative approach to teaching students about political ideologies and their real-world implications. The mock election reward system, they argue, could serve as an experiential lesson on the perceived values associated with different political parties — such as charitable giving or self-reliance.
Supporters contend that engaging students in political discourse and civic education, even in mock scenarios, is beneficial for developing their understanding of democracy and civic duty.
This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of how schools approach political and civic education. With many debates over school curriculum and content, the role of teachers in addressing political topics is under the microscope, particularly in politically polarized states.
Advocates for more conservative educational policies have argued that classrooms should remain politically neutral to foster an inclusive environment, while some educators maintain that addressing political ideologies is essential to developing informed future voters.
Education experts note that introducing political content in the classroom requires careful handling. They argue that teachers should prioritize fairness and inclusivity to ensure students feel respected, regardless of their political beliefs.
According to Dr. Jessica Smith, a professor of education policy, classroom exercises that incorporate politics can be valuable but risk alienating students if not implemented neutrally.
“When teaching about politics, teachers should focus on fostering discussion rather than rewarding or penalizing students based on their choices,” Dr. Smith said. “Students should feel safe to express diverse viewpoints without fear of reprisal or favoritism.”
As the video continues to circulate online, it reflects ongoing tensions regarding the role of political education in schools. While political mock elections can provide insights into democratic processes, the incident underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced approach.
For some, the teacher’s decision was an attempt to creatively educate students on perceived party values, while for others, it crossed a line into partisanship. As schools and educators navigate these complex dynamics, the debate surrounding politics in the classroom will likely persist.