November 11
The video of the read aloud of "They, She, He Easy as ABC" is such an important reminder of how the world is constantly changing and adapting and as educators we need to do the same. As educators sometimes we are the only support some children may have, which means we need to be the most accepting and welcoming we can be. I remember a specific situation from an internship in my senior year of high school where I was working with an elementary school art teacher. A student in that same class kept asking another one if they were a boy or a girl and the other student was starting to get frustrated saying "I'm neither, I'm a they". The student who asked wouldn't accept that answer. Fortunately, the student being questioned was content with their identity and wasn't afraid to try to educate their peers. This is a perfect example of why we need to educate our students, so that someone less comfortable than that student was isn't put in a position like that where they have to defend their identity and end up questioning themselves.
It's so important to support and respect students' gender identity in schools for numerous reasons. Their school files may say one thing where they say another and this could be for many reasons. School may be the only place they can be openly or safely out to their peers. They may not have a safe home life for them to express their true identity there. School may be the place they choose to test out different identities and figure themselves out. It's also important to support and respect identities to help end the stigma about certain gender identities. Educating students about them is crucial to spread awareness and help everyone feel welcome, accepted, and valid.
I like how you included your own experience with your internship. It really shows how important it is that children are educated on matters like gender identity. I'm glad your student was able to stick up for themself!
ReplyDeleteI agreed that it is necessary to treat every student equally, regardless of gender.
ReplyDeleteI love how you included your own experience and situation. I feel as if that makes the topic more personal and gives a stronger understanding to yourself and the readers!
ReplyDeleteI like how you included your own personal experience into your blog.
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