Teacher Spotlight on Will Linser (Bellevue, WA)

Jan 16, 2025

Will Linser teaches AP U.S. Government and U.S. History in Bellevue, Washington.

Name: Will Linser
School Name: Bellevue High School
School Location: Bellevue, WA (Seattle metro area)
No. of Years Teaching: 27
Subject(s) Taught: AP U.S. Government & Politics, and U.S. History
Grade(s)Taught: 11th and 12th grades

Located just east of Seattle in the verdant Pacific Northwest, Bellevue, Washington, is home to some of the world’s largest technology companies. Amazon was founded in Bellevue by Jeff Bezos in 1994, and today the city hosts satellite offices for eBay, Meta, ByteDance, Oracle, Salesforce, Google, and Microsoft, to name a few.

Teaching and Technology
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that Will Linser—who teaches AP U.S. Government and U.S. History at Bellevue High School—says that technology has changed how we teach significantly.

“When I first began teaching, the biggest tech headache was students using pagers,” Linser says, reflecting on his 27 years of experience as an educator. “My, how times have changed, and technology has improved. Now every student has a laptop.”

But for every strength, there is a weakness; they are two sides of the same coin. Technology brings many benefits but also challenges. As tech journalist Nick Carr first purported back in 2008, the internet (and all its distractions) affects our ability to focus. And that consequence has been absorbed by the younger generation, who grew up on technology.

“The biggest challenge is keeping students engaged,” Linser says. “Another change has been being trying to both teach and entertain my students, so that they remain on task and learn.”

Fostering Focus
Most teachers know how frustrating it can be to try to get the attention of a young person watching a TikTok video on their phone in class. This has put additional pressure on teachers. They must not only teach; they must also win their students’ attention.

Linser says his high school recently implemented a ban on student cell phones in the classroom. No doubt other schools around the country have already gone (or will soon go) that route.

“I hope that we can make what we teach more relevant to our students so that they remain engaged,” Linser says. “If our students don’t see what we’re teaching as relevant to their lives, then they just tune us out.”

One way Linser encourages student engagement is by using the SGAP Student Forum newsletter and resources in his classroom.

“I have my students answer the discussion questions for the two issues,” he says. “They are always current and relevant. Answering the questions makes my students think about the important issues facing our country.”

Looking Forward
Linser believes that artificial intelligence will influence the future of teaching. He serves on a professional learning committee that has begun to look at the impact of AI on education.

“It is my hope that we can begin to move to a more collaborative educational experience for our students,” Linser says. “They’ll need that skill in their future careers.”

As a veteran teacher with nearly 30 years of experience, Linser encourages fellow teachers to not be afraid to take risks, even if the effort falls flat. “We’ve all taught lessons that we thought would be a smashing success,” he says. “Well, sometimes things don’t work out as planned. That’s both the fun bit and frustrating part of teaching.”

In fact, Linser says, it’s good to shake things up and not get in a rut. “Try to do at least a few things differently every school year,” he adds. “It’ll be a positive experience both for you and your students.”

 

Links + Discussion Questions February 2025

Jan 15, 2025

RESEARCH LINKS

BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP is a legal principle under which citizenship is automatically granted to individuals based on place of birth. In the United States, birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Issue 1: Birthright Citizenship
Heritage Foundation: “A Fundamental Misunderstanding of 14th Amendment”
Constitution Center: “Revisiting the Birthright Citizenship Question”
American Immigration Council: “Birthright Citizenship”
CNN News: “How Trump Is Banking on 18th Century Laws for Citizenship”
PBS News: “What Is Birthright Citizenship and Could Trump End It?”
Reuters: “Biden Says Awful that Trump Seeks to End Birthright Citizenship”

Issue 2: Daylight Saving Time
Congress.gov: S.582, “Sunshine Protection Act”
TimeandDate.com: “What Is Daylight Saving Time?”
AASM Sleep Education: “Daylight Saving Time Resources”
Farmer’s Almanac: “Daylight Saving Time 2025”
National Conference of State Legislatures: “DST State Legislation”
Encyclopedia Britannica: “Daylight Saving Time News”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Birthright Citizenship

  1. After reading the Issue One page of the newsletter, what are your views on the issue of birthright citizenship?
  2. Are you for or against ending U.S. birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants? Why? Justify your answers with arguments.
  3. Do you feel that undocumented immigrants take advantage of the current U.S. policy on birthright citizenship? Why or why not?
  4. Were you aware of the issue before reading these materials? Had you formed an opinion? If so, has your opinion changed? Why or why not?
  5. What are the costs of maintaining the current policy on birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. of undocumented immigrants?

Issue 2: Daylight Saving Time

  1. Should the United States make daylight saving time permanent year round? Why or why not?
  2. Visit https://savestandardtime.com/ and read the arguments for permanent standard time. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the proposal?
  3. How does “springing forward” and “falling back” affect you personally? Which time zone do you prefer and why?
  4. Why do you think some states opt out of daylight saving time?
  5. Compare and contrast the economic advantages and disadvantages of daylight saving time with those of standard time. Is daylight saving time better for the economy overall? Explain your answer.

 

 

Links + Discussion Questions Dec 2024

Nov 18, 2024

Sanctuary City road sign

A ‘SANCTUARY CITY’ is a term for a jurisdiction with a policy or practice that discourages local law enforcement from reporting the immigration status of undocumented immigrants to the federal government.

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Sanctuary Cities
Congress.gov: H.R.5717, “No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act”
Fox News: “Which Cities, Counties and States are ‘Sanctuary’ Jurisdictions?”
National Conference of State Legislatures: “Navigating Immigration Policy”
National Immigration Forum: “Bill Analysis: No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act”
GlobalRefuge.org: “What Are Sanctuary Cities?”
Fox News: “Blue Cities Rush Dismantle Migrant Shelters as Trump Approaches”

Issue 2: STOP CCP Act
Congress.gov: H.R.3334, “STOP Chinese Communist Party Act”
IssueVoter.org: H.R. 3334 – “STOP CCP Act” For and Against Arguments
WhiteHouse.gov: “Statement of Biden Administration Policy on ‘STOP CCP Act’”
Washington Post: “Trump Set to Deepen Tech Cold War with China”
House Foreign Affairs Committee: “Confronting the China Challenge”
Congressional Budget Office: “STOP CCP Act Cost Estimate”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Sanctuary Cities

  1. After looking at the Fox News article on which locations are sanctuary cities (link above), what do sanctuary cities have in common? Why do some places decide to become sanctuary cities?
  2. Do you think city governments should always cooperate with state or federal governments? Why or why not?
  3. What is a sanctuary city? Why do people support or oppose sanctuary cities? What is your stance?
  4. Is Immigration an issue in your city or state? Why or why not?
  5. What rights should illegal immigrants have in our country?

Issue 2: STOP CCP Act

  1. Do you think Chinese efforts to surpass American global economic, military, and political power are succeeding or failing? Why or why not?
  2. What do people mean when they describe a country as “number one?” How might your life be different if China was the “number one” nation in the world?
  3. Does the power of China make you worried in any way? Why or why not?
  4. How do you think the new Trump administration will change U.S. economic policy toward China?
  5. How might the United States have a less confrontational and more productive relationship with China?

Links and Discussion Questions Nov 2024 (President Election + Congress Term Limits)

Oct 4, 2024

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

ESTABLISHING CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS through a new constitutional amendment is no small task. Since 1787, just 27 amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution.

Trump Campaign Website: Donald J. Trump on the Issues (full list)
Harris Campaign Website: Kamala Harris on the Issues (full list)
Ballotpedia.org: “Presidential Candidates 2024”
Allsides.com: “Election Resource Center”
270towin.com: “2024 Presidential Election Interactive Map”
ProCon.org: “Presidential Candidates Comparison Chart on the Issues”

Issue 2: Congressional Term Limits
Congress.gov: H.J. Res. 11 – Congressional Term Limits
Constitutioncenter.org: “Why Term Limits for Congress Face Challenging Path”
Heritage Foundation: “Term Limits, the Only Way to Clean Up Congress”
NPR.org: “Term Limits for Congress…Why Experts Say They’d Be a Bad Idea”
U.S. Term Limits: “Why Term Limits?”
Senate.gov: “Sen. Cruz Introduces Constitutional Amendment – Term Limits”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

  1. Read the presidential candidates “on the issues” (pp. 2-3 of the newsletter). For an unabridged list, visit each candidate’s campaign website (links above). Which issues are the most important to you personally? Why?
  2. After looking at the candidates’ positions on the issues, what do you see as at stake in this election—for yourself, your generation, your community, your country, and the world? Which candidate do you feel is the best choice for our next U.S. president—Trump, Harris, or “other?” Why?
  3. When did you first become aware of having political opinions? Who or what do you think shaped them? Did your parents or family members influence you—or was it more your friends, a teacher, or your church that played a crucial role? Have your opinions changed over time? How so?
  4. Whether in school, with family and friends, or online, what experiences have you had in talking to people who may not agree with you? What has been helpful? What has been hard? Why do these conversations matter?
  5. What are you optimistic about? What might your generation do better than those who came before it?

Issue 2: Congressional Term Limits

  1. Should members of congress be subject to term limits? How many terms should they be allowed to run for?
  2. Currently, the Constitution requires representatives to be at least 25 years old and senators to be at least 30. Some have suggested imposing a mandatory retirement age for members of Congress or a maximum age of election. Do you agree? Why or why not?
  3. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the president from serving more than two four-year terms. Does it make sense to have term limits for the executive branch of government (the president and his or her administration) but not for the legislative branch (members of congress)? Why or why not?
  4. Summarize the “for” and “against” arguments for setting congressional term limits. Which position do you agree with? Why?
  5. Proponents of congressional term limits say longtime members of congress have an “incumbency advantage,” making them practically unbeatable and less likely to listen to their constituents. Do you think the incumbent advantage presents a problem for true representation in congress? Would term limits solve this problem? What other changes might make races more competitive?

Links and Discussion Questions 10/2024 (Digital Privacy + SNAP Benefits)

Sep 8, 2024

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: SNAP Benefits

Digital privacy; hands on computer keyboard; padlock.

DIGITAL PRIVACY in the United States has become a hot topic, with consumer rights groups opposing the practices of companies that collect and use consumer data.

Congress.gov: H.R.8467 “Farm, Food, and National Security Act”
The Hill: “A Fight Over SNAP Funding Could Derail the Farm Bill”
Senate Committee on Agriculture: “Reviewing Baseline Nutrition Programs”
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: “House Farm Bill’s SNAP Cut”
Urban Institute: “Food Insecurity on the Rise, SNAP Spending Cuts Dangerous”
Heritage Foundation: “Food Stamp Reforms to Save Taxpayers Billions”

Issue 2: National Privacy Law
Congress.gov: H.R. 8818 “American Privacy Rights Act of 2024”
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Letter on the ‘American Privacy Rights Act’”
Electronic Frontier Foundation: “EFF Opposes the American Privacy Rights Act”
IAPP.org: “U.S. State Privacy Legislation Tracker”
StateScoop.com: “American Privacy Rights Act Could Undercut State Privacy”
Tech Policy OpEd: “Big Tech Tried to Kill My State’s Privacy Bill”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: SNAP Benefits

  1. In 2023, 33.6 million adults and 13.8 million children lived in food-insecure households, compared to 30.8 million adults and 13.4 million children in 2022. Why do you think “food insecurity” is on the rise in the U.S.? Hint: Read the Urban Institute article (link above) for insight on the term “food insecurity.”
  2. Is the SNAP or food stamps program the best solution to poverty in the U.S.? Why or why not?
  3. Individuals who receive SNAP benefits must shop, cook, and eat on a budget of $4.40 a day. If you had to make a grocery list within the limits of this SNAP budget, on which foods would you spend the money? Why?
  4. Some lawmakers believe welfare programs like SNAP create a “culture of dependency.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
  5. What are the potential consequences for families banned from food stamps due to past drug convictions?

Issue 2: National Privacy Law

  1. Using the U.S. state privacy law tracker (link above), look up your state’s privacy law. How would you feel if a weaker national privacy law preempted your state’s privacy law?
  2. Read the Tech Policy opinion piece by Vermont State Representative Monique Priestley (link above). Are you surprised by her stance? Why or why not?
  3. Which is more important—having access to online content and social media sharing, or privacy? Is there a way to have both? Why or why not?
  4. Digital privacy spans many areas of our lives, including government spying on U.S. citizens, parental monitoring of their children, and corporate tracking of consumers. Which of these types of spying is the most egregious? Why?
  5. Over history, the federal government has expanded its powers at the expense of the states. Why do you think the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has not protected state power more effectively from federal encroachment?

Ideas for Teachers September 2024 (Voter Eligibility + Supreme Court Term Limits)

Aug 8, 2024

RESEARCH LINKS

VOTER ELIGIBILITY is governed by the U.S. Constitution as well as federal and state laws. To vote in a presidential election, you must be 18 years old and a United States citizen. Each state has its own requirements.

Issue 1: SAVE Act (Voter Eligibility)
Congress.gov: H.R.8281, “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act” or “SAVE Act”
House.gov: SAVE Act One-Pager – Republican (Rep. Chip Roy)
House.gov: SAVE Act One-Pager – Democrat (Rep. Joseph Morelle)
Bipartisan Policy Center: “Five Things to Know About the SAVE Act”
Heritage Foundation: “Vote ‘Yes’ on the SAVE Act”
League of Women Voters: “Urge Your Members of Congress to Oppose the SAVE Act”

Issue 2: Supreme Court Term Limits
WaPo OpEd: President Joe Biden – “My Plan to Reform the Supreme Court”
Heritage Foundation: “Biden’s Attempt to Control Supreme Court Is Unconstitutional”
PBS.org: “Biden Calls for Supreme Court Term Limits as Part of Reform Plan”
CBS News: “Biden Proposes Major Supreme Court Reforms as Controversy Swirls”
FixtheCourt.com: “Term Limits”
BrennanCenter.org: “Supreme Court Term Limits”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: SAVE Act (Voter Eligibility)

  1. Should Congress pass the SAVE Act to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote? Why or why not?
  2. Do those with the right to vote have more power than those without? Why or why not?
  3. Why are so many people apathetic when it comes to voting? What happens (or could happen) when people do not vote?
  4. Do you think it makes sense to be 18 and not exercise your right to vote? Why or why not?
  5. What issues would bring more young people to the polls to vote, if included on ballots?

Issue 2: Supreme Court Term Limits

  1. Would Supreme Court term limits contradict Article III of the U.S. Constitution, which states justices shall “hold their Offices during good Behavior?” Why or why not?
  2. If term limits are good for the executive and legislative branches of government, might term limits also be good for the judicial branch? Why or why not?
  3. Critics of Supreme Court term limits say it is an effort to grab the power Democrats have lost. Do you agree? Why or why not?
  4. Since the drafting of the Constitution, the legislative and executive branches of government have become more democratized. For example, senators are elected directly by voters in the states they represent. Should the judiciary undergo similar reform? Why or why not?
  5. Could changing the current structure of the judicial branch have no effect, or the opposite intended? Why or why not?