
America’s Government Teacher Offers Reason and Hope
Note: My post today is directed to an American audience. I apologize to those from other nations who landed on this page, but perhaps you may also find some reason and hope.
In 2020 I needed a voice of reason and hope in the midst of chaos. Happily, @sharonsayso was recommended to me. Sharon, a former US government, history, and law teacher, started seeing misinformation and blatant falsehoods on social media. So she began to post short non-partisan informational videos on her instagram account explaining the facts.
Sharon very clearly and concisely spelled out how American government works and what the Constitution actually says. She broke down the electoral college, the budget process, Supreme Court rulings, and why our vote matters, especially on the local level. She invited questions (any!) and clearly and patiently answered them (over and over again!). She asked her followers on all sides of the political spectrum to share opinions which she then posted on her stories. I especially appreciated this feature as it helped me to understand what left, right, and moderate leaning folks thought about different issues.
Besides her daily posts, McMahon began offering workshops to discuss various historical and political topics. And just for fun—because she knew we needed a break from the intensity—she shared her dogs’ antics, owl and whale videos (which I love), clothing reviews, and make up tips.
Sharon gained national attention when she organized her followers to raise money for medical debt reduction and gifts to teachers. Expecting they’d donate a few thousand dollars, her followers have given 9 million over the past 3 years to various causes.
@sharonsaysso grew into a podcast, book club, a newsletter, and now a recently published New York Times bestselling book. Sharon is currently on a month-long book tour and droves of Governerds™, as we lovingly call ourselves, are showing up each night to hear her talk about history and government. Who would’ve thought a self-proclaimed government nerd would draw such attention! She now has 1.1 million followers, including me.
While Sharon has not revealed her political party or her religious faith, she has a Judeo-Christian worldview, she encourages her followers to love their neighbor, live kindly and respectfully, and participate in their church communities. In a recent podcast interview, Mary Marantz asked her where she gets her moral compass, wondering if it comes from her faith. Sharon replied that her family, her extensive reading, and lessons from history have guided and taught her.
America’s Government Teacher, as she is affectionately called, infuses hope rather than stirs up fear by reminding us we can make a difference. While we cannot bring change all by ourselves, we can take a casserole to our neighbor, help a child in need, or donate to a cause that we care about. We can use our unique abilities and skills to do our part in our corner of the world. That’s why I’m using my gift of writing to encourage you to learn from Sharon McMahon. Understanding how politics work and listening to a range of ideas has reduced my stress level and helped me to spot disinformation and fear-mongering lies.
If you are not on Instagram, you can listen to her podcast, Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, subscribe to her newsletter, The Preamble, join her bookclub, or get in line at your local library (as I’m doing) to read a copy of her new book, The Small and the Mighty. I promise you will learn something you did not know before. You will find a voice of reason and hope in the mist of chaos.

