Teacher in elementary school

debbie in seattle

debbie in seattle

Senior Member
Location
Seattle
My sis-in-law's grandson came home on day two of school and was quite confused. His new teacher, who the first day stated her name was Ms. Smith. On day two, she said she wanted to talk to all the kids in her classroom. She proceeded to tell them that one day she may come to school as Ms Smith and the next day she may come to school dressed as Mr Smith and to call him MR Smith that day. Huh???? These little kids are in 2nd grade! The mom went to the head of the school (Montessori) and had a discussion. Comes out that this teacher was forthright concerning being a bi-gender teacher and nothing can be done
HUH? As the years go on, I realize I'm not understanding a lot of stuff but this is an absolutely new one on me. Yes, this teacher has come to school as both Ms and Mr quite a bit.
 

That is wild, Debbie. Yes, I can see where that would be quite confusing to kids. I mean, how could you explain it to them, they don't understand any of that. I actually don't get it myself. Is he/she like a cross-dresser? Why not pick one or the other and go with it! Do the other on their own time.
 
The teacher claims he/she is bisexual??? I'm getting old(er) and way beyond my understanding. I agree with all, this person should be in a different occupation and shame on administration for hiring this person.
 
I'm thinking the children will adjust to it much better than some of the parents. I am thinking that these children will grow up having a bit of understanding and maybe developing some empathy towards people that are not the norm. When I was in elementary school,probably '60 or '61, there was a music teacher who was the most flamboyantly expressive gay guy I have ever experienced. Almost 60 years later I still remember Mr. Malikan. Knowing the staunchly WASP conservative nature of the area I am amazed that he was able to teach. I was so young that I had no clue what gay was,but here was a happy bouncy flouncy exuberant guy that was unlike any man I had ever known.

I don't know that he made me as tolerant of others as I try to be, but I'm sure he had a part.
 
I know the kids are young, but at least she's explaining to them beforehand anything that may come as a surprise to them, so that's a good thing. As long as the subject doesn't linger and affect classroom lessons and she says nothing sexually inappropriate for that age group, things should be fine. As Robusta said, the parents are likely more alarmed than the children.

Most of us haven't had any close relationships with those who have a gender identity issue, but there are many out there working through their personal challenges. I can't imagine what they're going through, and don't know much about all the stages of change, Chastity Bono comes to mind for me. Sonny and Cher's daughter, who is now a man, Chas.
 
Never would have said this 10, 20 years ago. But, I would have no issue with a grandchild being in a classroom with this person... if they were good at teaching readin', writin', and 'rithmetic. How better for a child to be exposed early to the things they will need to cope with in the society as teens and adults. If this is an issue, why? Confusing? NO! A teaching lesson in itself to assist in a better understanding of people?? Yes!

Some years ago, if a white teacher were to have brought her black children to school to visit... or have had her black husband come by the classroom... some parents would have been up in arms. Even before that, if a teacher was divorced, some thought she shouldn't be in the classroom. Society/culture has changed. Do we necessarily have to think it has changed for the better? Of course not. Do we have to think everything a teacher... or another in our neighborhood... does is okay by our own ideals? Certainly not. However, our children and grandchildren will need to be able to live with and communicate with their fellow man.

One of our granddaughters is 14. She just went on a 4-day service trip to Philadelphia. She has been involved in the local Youth Volunteer Corps which helps at nursing homes, rakes leaves for handicapped, takes meals to aged, etc. The national gathering saw children from across the Country come together for interaction, motivational speakers, and a service project. The service project was cleaning up an area where the less fortunate lived/existed in Philly. She had never been exposed to masses of homeless people living on the street. Said she could never live in Philadelphia. Why? Said she would be broke because she would be giving all the money she ever earned to the poor homeless folks. We have homeless living on our streets. We have a presidential candidate calling for civil war. And, we're concerned about a school teacher who is bi-gender? C'mon folks!!!!!
 
Grumpy Ol' Man said:
Never would have said this 10, 20 years ago. But, I would have no issue with a grandchild being in a classroom with this person... if they were good at teaching readin', writin', and 'rithmetic. How better for a child to be exposed early to the things they will need to cope with in the society as teens and adults. If this is an issue, why? Confusing? NO! A teaching lesson in itself to assist in a better understanding of people?? Yes!

Some years ago, if a white teacher were to have brought her black children to school to visit... or have had her black husband come by the classroom... some parents would have been up in arms. Even before that, if a teacher was divorced, some thought she shouldn't be in the classroom. Society/culture has changed. Do we necessarily have to think it has changed for the better? Of course not. Do we have to think everything a teacher... or another in our neighborhood... does is okay by our own ideals? Certainly not. However, our children and grandchildren will need to be able to live with and communicate with their fellow man.

One of our granddaughters is 14. She just went on a 4-day service trip to Philadelphia. She has been involved in the local Youth Volunteer Corps which helps at nursing homes, rakes leaves for handicapped, takes meals to aged, etc. The national gathering saw children from across the Country come together for interaction, motivational speakers, and a service project. The service project was cleaning up an area where the less fortunate lived/existed in Philly. She had never been exposed to masses of homeless people living on the street. Said she could never live in Philadelphia. Why? Said she would be broke because she would be giving all the money she ever earned to the poor homeless folks. We have homeless living on our streets. We have a presidential candidate calling for civil war. And, we're concerned about a school teacher who is bi-gender? C'mon folks!!!!!
Click to expand...

No, I am not concerned about orientation, Grumpy, I just don't understand why second grade students need to be involved with the day to day type of thing. They have to adapt also to a change in personality as well as dress. Has nothing to do with qualifications either, this person may even be very good with children. I'd be concerned, not worried if it was my grandchild. I have never heard of this behavior in bisexual individuals--I always thought they accepted their gender. To change personas is something new to me, but I still don't understand why this person feels the need to bring it into a classroom where the emphasis should be on education and not have the kids have adapt to him/her identity issue.
 
Children are incredible creatures. They understand far more than they are given credit for. My youngest granddaughter is 17 months old. As of yet not a true word. She has noises such as mo for more, guh I think for give me, I am Pop POP and so on. One of the teachers at her day care routinely addresses the children with ASL. Our little Kenadae now signs her desires and I am learning ASL from a baby!

Are there no children in the school with two Daddies or Mommies. or children that go to Mommies house on Wednesdays,but stay at daddies the rest of the week? Those children will be fine!!
 

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