Sharon McMahon
Sharon McMahon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Known for | Influencer |
| Notable work | The Small and the Mighty |
| Website | https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso/ |
Sharon McMahon is a former American teacher who is now a podcast host and Instagram influencer. McMahon produces and hosts civics and history content.[1]
Career
[edit]McMahon taught government and law in public schools in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.[2][3][4] After years of teaching, McMahon began publishing politics-oriented content to her Instagram in September 2020 in response to what she saw as rising misinformation in her own social media feeds amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 election cycle.[5][6]
In December 2020, McMahon launched her first giving campaign with the goal to raise $1000 for a family in need. Instead, McMahon crowdfunded more than $125,000. In January 2021, McMahon gained media attention for organizing a letter-writing campaign to thank U.S. Capitol custodians cleaning up after the January 6th insurrection.[7][8]
In July 2021, McMahon began hosting the podcast "Here's Where It Gets Interesting". The 400+ episodes are a mix of interviews with notable Americans and narrations shedding light on American history and civics, including topics ranging from the Prohibition, the Civil Rights Movement, World War II, and the Leo Frank case to the responsibilities of the electoral college, principles of democracy, and the functions and structure of US government. Podcast guests have included Sen. Mitt Romney, actor George Takei, actor Rainn Wilson, Heather Cox Richardson, Maria Bamford, and documentarians Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein.[9]
Awards
[edit]McMahon was recognized as Communicator of the Year by PRWeek and nominated as Best Social Creator at the 2022 Webby Awards.[10][11] "Here's Where It Gets Interesting", the podcast, won a 2023 Webby Award for Best Writing and People's Voice.[12]
Other activity
[edit]McMahon is a founding partner of "Starts With Us", an organization that seeks to overcome division and polarization.[13]
McMahon has also launched Government for Grownups, a workshop series about US history and government.[14]
Bibliography
[edit]- McMahon, Sharon (2024-09-24). The Small and the Mighty. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-593-54167-8.[15][16][17][18]
References
[edit]- ^ Erdahl, Kent (January 8, 2021). "Former MN Teacher Going Viral for Combating Political Misinformation on Instagram". KARE. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ "Former Duluth teacher shares tips on talking to students about Israel-Hamas War". MPR News. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ Oldroyd, Devin (2023-10-07). "Becoming civic-minded with "America's Government Teacher" Sharon McMahon". KSLNewsRadio. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ Ross, Jenna (February 28, 2021). "Debunking in Duluth". Johnson City Press.
- ^ Godfrey, Elaine (June 5, 2022). "Sharon McMahon Has No Use for Rage-Baiting". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ Wurzer, Cathy (December 14, 2021). "Civics Lessons for Adults—on Instagram? Sharon Says So". MPR News. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ Vargas, Theresa (January 16, 2021). "People Are Sending Thank You Cards to the Capitol's Cleaning Crew. They Deserve Our Gratitude. And More". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ Moeller, Amy (January 10, 2021). "There's a Campaign to Send Thank You Notes to the Custodial Staff That Cleaned the Capitol After the Riots". Washingtonian. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ "Here's Where It Gets Interesting".
- ^ "'America's Government Teacher' Sharon McMahon honored as Communicator of the Year". PRWeek. March 17, 2022. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022.
- ^ "Sharon Says So". The Webby Awards. 2022.
- ^ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "Movement Partners". Starts With Us. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ Luscombe, Belinda (2024-09-17). "Sharon McMahon Did Not Plan to Be America's Government Teacher". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Duncan, Rodger Dean. "Leadership And Life Lessons From People You've Never Heard Of". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Sharon McMahon Tells Maria About Her New Book—Stories of Ordinary Americans Who Changed History (and Ways You Can, Too)". Sunday Paper PLUS. 2024-09-28. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Ross, Jenna (2024-09-27). "From a dirt road outside Duluth, Sharon McMahon expands her media empire with new book". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Hardcover Nonfiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - Oct. 13, 2024 - The New York Times". The New York Times. 2024-10-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-11-08.