A large part of teaching in all disciplines is to convey to learners the need to be responsible for both what we say and do. Such a task is made more difficult with Donald Trump as president. The president’s projection of strength is a result of his not considering the possible consequences of what he does or says. As a result, he is a poor role model for students. Setting his sights on Canada, Panama and Greenland was irresponsible. His declaration that Ukraine, not Russia, started the war in Ukraine was irresponsible.

As a citizen and an educator, I have learned and preached that with freedom comes responsibility. It is most unfortunate that the president doesn’t model such conduct. Young people have taken note. The exhortations of educators for students to take personal responsibility for all utterances often land on deaf ears. Educators must work to undo Mr. Trump’s irresponsible conduct. History has taught us that such leadership could take us and the world to a very perilous place.

Larry Hoffner, retired