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For the publisher:
As a former teacher in the New Ulm School District, I worked very hard to make sure all children were welcomed into my classroom. No matter the student’s race, gender, religion or political beliefs, I have tried to make every child feel safe and ready to learn. Whether the student had a Biden or Trump mask, I was excited to connect with each child and help them reach their potential, and I appreciated every student who walked in my classroom.
Last year, my oldest went out as a lesbian and not a binary one. They told me that they felt like they were neither a boy nor a girl, and that they preferred pronouns. Is it confusing sometimes? Yes, especially for an English teacher used to “they or they” being used as a plural only. However, is denying this change worth the cost of making my child feel like a bad person who is not seen for who they are? Absolutely not. We can debate what gender is and it’s not all day long, but at the end of the day what is important to me is that my child feels seen, respected and loved.
I cannot commend the staff at Jefferson Elementary School enough for changing gears and using my child’s chosen pronouns. They were so awesome and it was wonderful sending my kid to a school where he felt respected for who he is. Did they make mistakes sometimes? No more than me at home! The important thing is that the staff strive every day to see my child as he is. And my kid noticed it, which made it much easier for them to learn.
It disappoints me to know that there is an organized group of parents in the community who are trying to intimidate teachers because they are doing the job of making children feel safe by simply asking them for their favorite pronouns. This simple request does not affect anyone in a negative way. This makes more students feel welcome in their schools and reduces stress, which can only improve learning. It is likely that all of our children will enter a future workforce with racial and gender diversities, so it makes sense for them to see the world that way.
New Ulm prides itself on being a strong and welcoming community. Living up to that means showing a little grace and openness when it comes to different people. The former First Lady asked people to “Be the best.” This is an opportunity to show this attitude and allow all children to feel seen, heard and welcomed.
Bill Skar
Inver Grove Heights
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