school experiences for trans folks

Soft*Silver · 06-24-2010, 09:50 PM

Soon, you bring up valid points...(scary ones for me, re my daughter)...as i said, I am pretty sure she talked to her principal about Randy.

the point of my thread, tho, is to get feedback from the trans folks, about their time in school, and how it affected them and what they wish a teacher would have done for them...

but please do (and anyone else too) jump in and offer the other side, the legalese side...I need to be able to bring that to her too...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

I'm not saying a hoopla needs to be made, but I think most parents would want to be informed (especially at this young age) that a plan of action (Softness' daughter has already taken steps) has been undertaken by a school to accommodate a child's preferred/actual gender.

A teacher can also put themselves at risk (this is Softness' daughter's first job from what I understand as a teacher) for making such decisions without informing the parents.

If a teacher or a school administration has agreed to accommodate and acknowledge the child's gender, without informing the parents (and this continues beyond Junior/Senior Kindergarten--even though, I do think this could even be asking for trouble legal-wise), this could create huge issues for the teacher if the parents are not informed and do not agree upon the school's action.

It just is.

ETA:
I just re-read the OP and the child is actually in second/third grade? At this grade level, where I live, there is no way that parents would not take action against our School Board if a teacher had been recognizing and taking solid steps to acknowledge a child's true gender without the parent(s)' explicit consent to do so.

That teacher and school board are really putting themselves at risk by embarking on a course of gender identity action without parental knowledge and it could be a huge liability for both teacher and employer. I am just being realistic--despite the good intentions of the teacher/principal (and whomever else is on board with acknowledging the child's gender).

Soon · 06-24-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softness

Soon, you bring up valid points...(scary ones for me, re my daughter)...as i said, I am pretty sure she talked to her principal about Randy.

the point of my thread, tho, is to get feedback from the trans folks, about their time in school, and how it affected them and what they wish a teacher would have done for them...

but please do (and anyone else too) jump in and offer the other side, the legalese side...I need to be able to bring that to her too...

I will back out of the thread now, Softness.

I have no legal expertise except for being in education for over ten years and know what would occur in my Board if this was happening without parents' knowledge and consent. (and this is Canada)

Good luck to your daughter and kudos to her on striving to build and maintain an inclusive teaching environment--I hope she gets the support she needs in this matter.

Dylan · 06-24-2010, 09:59 PM

So, besides standing in a girl's line, what else is your daughter doing, Softness?

Because, I do see what HSIN is saying, but what is your daughter going to do when the parents are irate and refuse to allow the child's gender to be acknowledged?

I mean, can't your daughter just avoid pronouns with Randy? Let Randi stand in girl lines or do the girl things and avoid the parent teacher freak out altogether?

Dylan

SuperFemme · 06-24-2010, 10:16 PM

how traumatic is it going to be for this child when they get to next year and perhaps a church lady teacher who isn't going to follow your daughters lead, softness?

to give something and then take it away seems almost cruel, though that is quite the opposite of intentions.

i would encourage your daughter to look and see if the district has any gender policies. then perhaps a meeting with the principal and school psychologist to implement a plan to get the child through elementary school?

my friend has done that with her child, and surprise surprise this hick town has a gender policy. her daughter (born her son) is referred to by female pronouns and uses the bathroom in the office. luckily there are no locker rooms for p.e., so it is working out so far. she did this against her husbands wishes at first.

i think your daughter is doing a fabulous thing, and i only wish all educators were so compassionate and aware.

06-24-2010, 09:59 PM	#3
Dylan Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: She thinks all my jokes are corny Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Great State O' Posts: 880 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,027 Thanked 1,838 Times in 500 Posts Rep Power: 0	So, besides standing in a girl's line, what else is your daughter doing, Softness? Because, I do see what HSIN is saying, but what is your daughter going to do when the parents are irate and refuse to allow the child's gender to be acknowledged? I mean, can't your daughter just avoid pronouns with Randy? Let Randi stand in girl lines or do the girl things and avoid the parent teacher freak out altogether? Dylan

06-24-2010, 10:16 PM	#4
SuperFemme Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/24/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Married (one of 18,000) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,933 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,309 Thanked 7,108 Times in 2,327 Posts Rep Power: 0	how traumatic is it going to be for this child when they get to next year and perhaps a church lady teacher who isn't going to follow your daughters lead, softness? to give something and then take it away seems almost cruel, though that is quite the opposite of intentions. i would encourage your daughter to look and see if the district has any gender policies. then perhaps a meeting with the principal and school psychologist to implement a plan to get the child through elementary school? my friend has done that with her child, and surprise surprise this hick town has a gender policy. her daughter (born her son) is referred to by female pronouns and uses the bathroom in the office. luckily there are no locker rooms for p.e., so it is working out so far. she did this against her husbands wishes at first. i think your daughter is doing a fabulous thing, and i only wish all educators were so compassionate and aware.