A Thousand Natural Shocks With Gabe S. Dunn · Gabe Dunn | Diamond MPrint Productions

The Teacher Who Made Me Who I Am Votes For Candidates Who Hate Me

·14 min·1 clip

Gabe discovers his childhood teacher, who first called him a writer, now donates to candidates who want to ban books like his.

This episode of "A Thousand Natural Shocks" features host Gabe S. Dunn reading a personal essay about a formative elementary school teacher. Dunn explores the complex discovery that this teacher, who nurtured their writing talent, now supports political figures whose policies target LGBTQ+ individuals. The essay connects this personal conflict to broader cultural and legislative shifts in education. Dunn recalls their teacher, referred to as Mrs. P, from Nova Blanche Foreman Elementary School in Florida. Mrs. P submitted Dunn's childhood writing to a county fair, where it won a blue ribbon. Research via OpenSecrets.org revealed Mrs. P has made consistent donations to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders since 2021. Dunn's mother reported that Mrs. P's social media activity included calling Trump a "king" and a "savior." Dunn's first novel, "I Hate Everyone But You," which features queer and trans characters, was unknowingly sent to Mrs. P by Dunn's mother. The school they attended is currently comprised of 89.2% minority students and 72% economically disadvantaged students. Dunn contrasts Mrs. P's past supportive role with her current political alignment, noting Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law and policies allowing book bans. Specific banned books mentioned include "Genderqueer" and "Dear Martin." The essay cites a Florida teacher believed to be the first fired for refusing to comply with a forced outing policy regarding student pronouns. Dunn recounts a personal childhood memory of using a different name on school essays without issue. The episode references a 1995 school mission booklet promoting "multicultural infusion" and contrasts it with current Florida laws like the Stop Woke Act. Dunn argues these political fights distract from issues like school shootings, citing the Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Florida State University shootings. The host questions whether Mrs. P's political views were always present or developed over time, a point of discussion with their mother. The essay concludes by reflecting on how Mrs. P provided stability and purpose during Dunn's challenging childhood, focusing on equity rather than culture war issues. A surprising claim is that a teacher's simple lesson on voting using ice cream flavors could now potentially compromise a school's funding under vague state laws. The memory of a classmate temporarily changing their name to "Zeke" without controversy highlights a shift in how schools handle student identity. Dunn points out the irony that efforts to "protect kids" through book bans have left library shelves empty in some schools. The essay suggests that the intense focus on pronouns and books obscures more pressing student needs like food insecurity and violence. A memorable moment is Dunn's realization that their childhood self, who idolized Mrs. P, is likely frozen in time for the teacher as "a little girl in a denim jacket." The host's wry aside that they weren't "indoctrinated into becoming a transsexual communist" in elementary school, joking "that came later," provides a moment of dark humor. The tone is deeply personal, reflective, and impassioned, blending memoir with political commentary. The style is narrative and essayistic, read directly by the author with a conversational yet polished delivery. This episode would resonate strongly with listeners interested in the personal impacts of political polarization, especially within education and LGBTQ+ communities. Anyone grappling with fractured relationships over political differences or nostalgic for past mentors would find it compelling. Listeners seeking purely financial advice or disinterested in personal narrative and cultural analysis might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

Gabe S. Dunn revisits the teacher who encouraged their writing, then confronts book bans and forced outing in schools.

Gabe S. Dunn returns to the teacher who first encouraged them to write, then follows that bond into a harder present: the same teacher now votes to ban books and supports candidates Dunn says oppose people like them.

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