Democracy in Real Time: How Alaine Jolicoeur Teaches Legacy on the High School Frontier
Alaine Jolicoeur was built for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C. But five years ago, while working at a firm in the city, an undeniable restlessness set in. The work was perfectly fine, but it was predictable—and predictability was dangerously close to boredom.
When the opportunity to teach AP Government and Politics at E.L. Haynes High School presented itself, a dormant passion clicked into place. “You’ve always wanted this,” she reminded herself. “Why don’t you give it a try?”
Half a decade later, Alaine is definitely not bored.
As the Social Studies Department Chair, 11th Grade Level Lead, and AP Government teacher, stagnation is structurally impossible. “We live in a very flamboyant country,” Alaine says with the crisp, measured delivery of a constitutional expert. “There’s so much going on. Shifting policies, breaking news—there is never a dull moment.”
For Alaine, a changing news cycle isn’t a disruption to her lesson plan; it is the lesson plan. Her subject matter is alive, and she engineers her classroom to reflect the living, breathing mechanics of American democracy.
The Geometry of Serenity
To sustain that level of daily intellectual energy, Alaine relies on a rigorous morning ritual. Long before the hallways fill with the vibrant chaos of high school scholars, she arrives on campus between 7:20 and 7:25 AM.
“I love the layout—the open glass facade in front of the building, the vivid greens, the geometry of the space,” she says, noting how distinct the architecture is from the thick, windowless walls of traditional school buildings. “Coming in early and getting work done is probably one of my favorite times of the day.”
That morning quiet is when the real engineering happens. As a secondary history educator, Alaine maximizes her intentional 80-minute daily planning block. It is a highly sacred window used to run data analysis, grade comprehensive essays, and meticulously craft individual modifications for her Multilingual Learners.
At Haynes, serving ML scholars isn’t outsourced to a separate department; Alaine owns the planning from top to bottom, building custom linguistic accommodations directly into her rigorous civics curriculum to ensure language acquisition happens hand-in-hand with constitutional literacy.
Autonomy as a Retention Tool
When asked why she continues to make the grueling daily commute all the way from Baltimore, Alaine’s answer points directly to the school’s culture of professional respect.
“What keeps me here is a sense of autonomy,” she shares. “There is a fundamental respect for one’s craft. We are given the space to share innovative ideas, try new pedagogies, and truly push the boundaries of social studies instruction.”
That autonomy is paired with an incredibly responsive leadership team. Carrying a portfolio spanning AP instruction, departmental leadership, and grade-level coordination requires immense support. Alaine notes that the administration has never left a professional need unmet: “There is nothing I’ve ever needed that I did not have someone provide me with a prompt response.” This culture allows her to continuously refine her skill set rather than letting her teaching practices calcify over time.
Building a Trust Contract
Ultimately, Alaine’s classroom moves on the strength of relationships. She operates under a simple, striking law of education: Students do not learn from people they do not trust.
“And that trust is not guaranteed,” Alaine insists plainly. “It’s something you have to actively work on and maintain every single time you step into the room.”
It is this relentless standard that allows her to challenge the assumptions people often make about the awareness and capabilities of urban high schoolers. Her students are deeply plugged in, fiercely intelligent, and completely aware of the world around them.
For Alaine, thriving at Haynes requires more than a love for grading rubrics or historical timelines. It requires an artistic eye for the long game—much like the raw, bold expressionism of Basquiat, her favorite visual artist.
“A person who thrives here must be self-assured, prepared, and deeply clear about the legacy they want to establish,” Alaine says. “Not just what you want to teach. But what you want to leave behind.”
Alaine Jolicoeur didn’t plan to teach, but she has turned her corner at E.L. Haynes into a laboratory for future leaders. For those ready to step up to the challenge, she offers a final piece of advice with a knowing smile: “Get ready for an adventure.”