I read the comments on here and I agree and disagree. For me, as a public school teacher, my priority is fostering a safe, respectful environment for every student. If a student requests a preferred name or pronoun, I honor that to uphold our district’s nondiscrimination policy. At the same time, my role is to teach academic standards and facilitate healthy development which means I don’t engage in medical or identity counseling. I strive to be consistent and transparent. I treat every student with dignity while maintaining the factual integrity of the curriculum. In doing so, we balance compassion with clarity, ensuring no child feels marginalized or misled.
All I’m saying is that kids are still developing, and it’s not my place to push identity, it’s my job to teach, listen, and guide. I don’t debate biology, and at the same time, I don’t shame anyone either. I just try to be honest and consistent while giving kids room to grow without confusion or pressure.
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