As a parent of two elementary aged children, I was thrilled to get the call to photograph a story about the current state of American education, as seen through a German newspaper reporter traveling across Tennessee. We visited Robin Steenman, who leads the Williamson County chapter of @moms4liberty, and flipped through some of the books that allegedly discuss “critical race theory” and have been banned in the libraries of local schools. We met with Matthew Hawn in Kingsport, who was fired from his teaching position for allegedly discussing “white privilege” in his classroom. He never received the details of the complaints against him, and is still working out how to return to the classroom. Christa Rockwell talked about new rules handed down from the state, how it impacted her ability to teach and why she recently left Tennessee to teach in Brooklyn, NY. And we walked through a Civil War cemetery with Lamont Turner, talking about the racial tension and history that weighs heavily over all these discussions. As with everything... It’s a nuanced issue that seems to turn into a 2-sided argument. What a treat to be able to engage with several angles of the story and to make some photographs to accompany this “road trip” across Tennessee. Thanks to @sebiberensphoto and @zeit for the fascinating, timely assignment.