How Does Gender Affect the Teaching Profession?
In recent news, new laws have been passed that are requiring schools and teachers to out any students who identify themselves to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to this, some states are even going as far as prosecuting the parents of these children who identify themselves as transgender, under the notion of child abuse or neglect. This is a very scary time for the individuals and families who are enduring these hateful actions being made against them. As a teacher, I want to make it my goal to establish a welcoming, safe, and equal learning environment for my students, however with new laws like this being passed, it's impossible to ensure a child's comfort in school and in the classroom.
School should be a place where students are to excited to go to and learn, not dread or fear. It is our responsibility as teachers to help students feel more comfortable in an environment that already feels like everyone is seemingly against them. With topics like these being so prevalent in our society today, it's a great opportunity to educate students on proper respect for others, even if they are different than what they are normally used to. It would be helpful to educate students on pronouns and use them properly as well as educating students on influential events in history. By educating our students we are giving them the opportunity to grow and expand the way they see the world. By being an ally and talking about the things that matter we are able to show our students that we are there for them and that we care.
Hey, I completely agree that we should do what we can as teachers to make the environment safe for our students. It is so important to be a supportive and comforting role model in the lives of our students. By using pronouns and talking about historical events around the subject, it really shows that we care about gender and we want our students to feel comfortable in their skin. With the new laws passed it seems hard decision as a teacher to either follow the law or protect the student. Going to school is already stressful enough for some students and so I always want to focus on positive things an try to make school better for them.
ReplyDeleteHey Leya! Yes! Pronouns are something i'm super big on and so I hope to spread awareness of the importance of using them properly in my classroom. Thank you for your reply!
DeleteHi Ana! I completely agree you with and your response. Students should not be punished for being who they are, and parents shouldn't be punished for allowing their kid to be who they are. It's all about acceptance, and respecting each other no matter what. I agree with you, I also want to have a classroom that allows any student to feel safe and wanted. Educating students on pronouns is huge, because it is about the level of respect. Teaching respect, love, and kindness to every student will be implemented in my classroom. I also think that students need to be taught about these certain historical events, because it'll help students understand more about themselves and others. A lot of adults don't realize that kids often figure out who they are at a young age, and I think teaching them about LGBQT+ will make them feel more confident and wanted in this world. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteHi Raegan! I love how you mentioned that you'd be teaching your students how to love and be kind as well as be respectful in your class. I think kindness and respect are characteristics that teachers just expect from their students rather than trying to come from a place of understanding.
DeleteThanks for the response!
Hi Ana! thank you for your input this week. I feel that this week gets into the uncomfortable side of things because not everyone has the same views. However, as educators we have to put our biases aside and be there for our students. We shouldn't be asked to punish or out students, we want them to come to school don't we ? Texas requires attendance and if we do what they ask us to do it could significantly lower the attendance rate and it could also possibly increase the amount of abuse on children cases. I also don't understand these new laws of how a parents can be charged with abuse for acknowledging their child's needs and allowing them to express themselves with more than just clothes. I also agree with your point on pronouns, in order to make students feel accepted and welcome we have to be willing to use their pronouns and address them in the way they want to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristin!
DeleteIt's important that you mentioned that as educators we have to put our biases aside and support our students, I love that because it's so true. I can't imagine being a teacher and betraying the bond and trust i've build with my student over something that should be none of mine or anybody else's business. Thank you for the response!
Of course! I think gender works kind of the same as religion I think we should be able to teach it without pushing our own viewpoints on students and telling them they have to believe or do a certain thing. I don’t really understand what the difference is between the two because we can teach religion through history so I feel like there should be a loophole for gender identification too!
DeleteHi! I completely agree with you on students should feel safe at school, especially since they spend a majority of their lives in school. I thought the law about reporting children coming out as trans as child abuse was insane!! I can not believe that especially since a lot more people are open and so accepting these days. I do believe that every students should be treated with respect no matter what and I think thats a goal that all of us future teachers have. Creating a safe environment for our students should be our #1 goal and even for children that aren't in our classrooms I hope they feel safe enough to come and talk to us about anything.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea! Yes I agree! The new laws being made not only in Texas but in many other states are absolutely horrifying! I can't help but wonder why our lawmakers are creating such pointless laws while there are actual dire issues among us. I like the point you made about the number 1 goal being our students being safe and respected. Thanks for your response!
DeleteHi Ana! I think you made some great points in this week's blog and I really enjoyed reading it. I think it is very sad and unfortunate that students are having to face nowadays at school and everywhere in general simply for being themselves. The new laws that have been coming out to target these students and even their parents are ridiculous in my opinion. I think it is a great idea to also educate all students about these things so they are not so judgemental of others and learn that we are all the same. I think that would change the opinions of other students and become more accepting of their peers. We as teachers have the responsibility to make all students feel safe and comfortable at school. It is a scary time right now but we as teachers should make it a priority to make school a place where they can express themselves.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! It makes me to happy and hopeful to see so many of these replies agreeing with my take on this issue. Thanks for your response!
DeleteHi Ana, I very much enjoyed reading your blog post. I really liked the point you made about how these new gender laws against the LGBTQ community make it hard for us as educators to provide a safe space for our students. I don’t think it is our place or responsibility as educators to tell a student's parents what gender they identify as. That is something personal to the student and maybe something they’re not ready to explain to their parents or guardian yet. I can only think of one situation where we might explain something like that to their parents and that would be if we notice harm might be happening to the student. I also like how you want to educate your students on pronouns and being respectful to transgender students. I think as educators we should be fully prepared to talk about topics like these to our students.
ReplyDeleteHi Lili! Thank you for adding that who our student identify as is a personal matter, but for also giving an example of an event where we would have to step in to help our student. Thanks for the response!
DeleteHi Ana! I find the recent laws that have been passed as completely hateful and ridiculous. I am personally someone who has never felt uncomfortable in my own body, so how would it make sense if I was someone to judge those who have experienced it? I feel that these laws are being passed because the people who created them have never had to experience what the LBGTQ+ community has. As a teacher, I will encourage talks about the community, as well as create an open space for my students to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and stories. I agree with your statement that students should not dread or fear going to school, so as future teachers we need to change that outcome. We cannot choose who are students be, or who they love, but we can choose how we react and support them. Our students need people to be there for them when it seems that the world (politicians) are against them. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete