Shared Politics Strengthen Teacher Relationships
High school teachers bond over shared political beliefs, according to a new study by Melanie Muskin, a PhD candidate in human development and social policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy and adjunct instructor in the School of Professional Studies.
Muskin, who also teaches at Vassar College, analyzed data from educators around the nation during the 2021-22 school year, a period of unprecedented transition following the COVID-19 pandemic. Though it was seen as a shift back to normal, “many teachers told us that the physical return to their classrooms came with a new relational challenge: politics,” Muskin said. “Partisan divides led some teachers to question their relationships with colleagues.”
The study, “Ties in Tumultuous Times: Educators’ Workplace Relationships as the Intersection of People, Policy, and Politics,” found that political homophily — often described as "birds of a feather flock together" — is a major factor influencing workplace relationships for educators. Co-authored by Diane Hsieh, a research scientist at the Search Institute, the study was published in the journal AERA Open.
In addition to connecting over shared beliefs, educators felt isolated when they were out of step with dominant ideologies at their schools, Muskin said. “These interpersonal dynamics shape a teacher’s sense of belonging, job satisfaction and school commitment. Our study underscores the need for inclusive school environments that allow for ideological diversity.”
Most schools re-opened in 2021, but in-person gathering meant health guidelines, which quickly became politicized. As in other workplaces, debates over mask mandates, vaccine requirements and social distancing guidelines permeated schools.
Educators tend to perceive their relationships with other teachers as a chance to create connections, solidarity and friendship, according to the study. Teachers rely on one another to do everything from lesson planning or supporting students with special needs to coordinating field trips or sharing limited space and materials.
When teachers do sense their beliefs are misaligned with their colleagues, they may feel isolated and more inclined to resign, Muskin said. And while political similarity can predict attrition in other industries, “it remains an understudied dimension in education,” the study noted.
The findings underscore the importance of “inclusive, relationally rich schools,” the authors wrote. “During a time of heightened stress and turnover, a focus on belonging is not just a matter of individual well-being but is central to retaining a dedicated and resilient workforce.”