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Teacher had to resign because she wouldn't use students' preferred pronouns and names

Rickeroo said:
Posters may be a bit hard to find, but trans topics (in other words, normalizing a very rare syndrome) are rife at a lot of school districts. Trans normalization usually occurs at the school policy level under Equity topics, safe spaces, etc. Would you want a list of trans-affirming links from school districts?

You've not addressed the 10% trans figure. Do you honestly believe that close to 10% of youth are trans?
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So you made up the poster.

As for the 10%, I really don’t care.
 
BirdinHand said:
So, if she firmly believes that black students are less intelligent than white students, does she get to express that belief in public schools also because it is a “firmly held belief”?
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I believe you would have a hard time proclaiming that such an easily disproven notion such as intellect is based on race ( which it is not.) had merit as religious exemption,
 
BirdinHand said:
Using “him” when a person prefers “her” or “they” IS asserting that the teacher’s perception and beliefs are more intelligent or important than the wishes, feelings and beliefs of the student.
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And vice versa.

BirdinHand said:
So, yes, it is what is being alleged. The teacher is insisting that her personal beliefs as to the pronoun that should be used is correct and superior.
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Not superior, simply different.
 
Hypothetical said:
I believe you would have a hard time proclaiming that such an easily disproven notion such as intellect is based on race ( which it is not.) had merit as religious exemption,
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I think there’s a hard time explaining why someone can’t use “they” because of a religious belief.
 
ttwtt78640 said:
And vice versa.



Not superior, simply different.
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And against school policy.

The teacher could have used “they”.

Teacher would have followed policy and “they” is a word that everyone uses anyway, so it isn’t against her religion.
 
This one seems both easy and complicated at the same time.
If she tendered a resignation, then she wasn't "forced" into anything. If she cannot operate withing the conditions set by her employer (the school system) then she needed to resign. Simply put, she isn't entitled to project her religious views into her workplace with immunity.
Having said that, she also seems to have the right to address the students by their "legal" name until such time that the names are legally changed.
 
BirdinHand said:
So explain how “you” or “they” or a last name goes against a religious belief.

The teacher could have used “they” or referred to the student by their last name.

Wouldn’t have had to “violate their belief” and still would have adhered to the school policy.
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she could have yes, but she should not be forced to.

"When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. "

is one example of a verse she could use.

either way, I disagree with it based on the ability to form young minds... while they do need to have a safe environment to go to school in, I beleive they NEED to experience some controversy and diversity of arguments that does not actually hurt them. Complete Coddling is the reason we have so many problems when they become young adults.

just my personal opinion.
 
Hypothetical said:
she could have yes, but she should not be forced to.

"When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. "

is one example of a verse she could use.

either way, I disagree with it based on the ability to form young minds... while they do need to have a safe environment to go to school in, I beleive they NEED to experience some controversy and diversity of arguments that does not actually hurt them. Complete Coddling is the reason we have so many problems when they become young adults.

just my personal opinion.
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My religious text says


And ye shall never pay taxes


Do I get an exemption?
 
Hypothetical said:
she could have yes, but she should not be forced to.

"When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. "

is one example of a verse she could use.

either way, I disagree with it based on the ability to form young minds... while they do need to have a safe environment to go to school in, I beleive they NEED to experience some controversy and diversity of arguments that does not actually hurt them. Complete Coddling is the reason we have so many problems when they become young adults.

just my personal opinion.
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Kids face plenty of adversity and controversy, they don’t need their teachers to pile on.
 
ttwtt78640 said:
This is going to be a tough case to decide. It’s basis seems to assert that, based on the schools interpretation of federal law, a minor can self-declare their (latest?) ‘gender identity’ and all (at least public employees?) must accept, and change their own behavior to ‘honor’, that self-declaration or be fired. No mention in the OP link was made about the teachers union position on this matter. I also can’t understand how a person’s (self-defined?) religion comes into play here, but that seems to be the basis for the lawsuit.
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I am sure the students are forced to use her preferred name and pronouns. I am certain if they called her by the names they wanted they would get suspended
 
Lord Tammerlain said:
I am sure the students are forced to use her preferred name and pronouns. I am certain if they called her by the names they wanted they would get suspended
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Perhaps the students should have started calling this teacher “Ms Holy Roller” or “Sister Bible Thumper”

Wonder how well that would have gone over.
 
ttwtt78640 said:
That may or may not be school policy.
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I would bet $100 if that teacher was called Tim by the students instead of Ms +++++ she would complain and get the students in trouble
 
Shrink726 said:
A lot of interesting issues in this case. And, although I am an atheist, I have to admit that I am troubled by an otherwise adequate teacher being essentially fired for refusing to engage in behavior she found contrary to her beliefs and biological reality.

I see this as different from the "I won't make a cake for a gay couple" type case as it asks a teacher to affirmatively violate her beliefs rather than call the students by their given names and gender appropriate pronouns.

As much as it galls me to support any kind of religious foolishness, I am hard pressed to see how I could support the district on this one.

Interested to hear the thoughts of others on this case.
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The problem is you understanding of the issue, but you have a very good attitude about learning more. 'Her beliefs' aren't the issue. What if her beliefs were that black children are inferior or should sit in the corner by themselves? Your post makes clear you appear not to understand transgender, which makes you see accommodating it as a pointless demand. Would 'being a good teacher otherwise' be the issue?

Biological includes gender identity. Imagine you felt the same as a male, but had a female body. Wouldn't you like to be able to live as the gender your brain says you are, not having to 'act like a woman' because your body doesn't match? The district is right. Hopefully you learn more about why.
 
This boils down, once again, to christian religious zealots wanting THEIR religion as a weapon.

The teacher couldn't use the last name or a generic pronoun such as "they".

These zealots will NOT stop until they get THEIR way in everything.


And note: it isn't Jews doing this. It isn't Muslims doing this. It isn't Jehovah's Witnesses doing this. It isn't Buddhists doing this. It isn't <insert one of the countless other religions here>.

It is "christians". Over and over again, it is "christians" that want to use their religion as a weapon against any and everyone that they disagree with.

We see it with abortion, we see it with same-sex marriage, we see it with a lawsuit that wants to advertise "no gays" on a website, and now we see it with regard to pronouns and teachers in PUBLIC schools.
 
Lord Tammerlain said:
I would bet $100 if that teacher was called Tim by the students instead of Ms +++++ she would complain and get the students in trouble
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Maybe, but they wouldn’t be ‘fired’ (expelled from the school system).
 
Subtle point to note: This event with the teacher happened in a Middle School. So the two students insisting on new names/pronouns are 11 or 12 year olds.

Details are kind of scarce so we don't know if the kids are actually "transgender" or just acting out and being rebellious. Also have not seen what involvement the parents have had.


Will be an interesting case/lawsuit to follow. Think there are two valid sides to the debate. Could end up in the hands of a jury to decide.

..
 
Am thinking back all those decades ago to when we were in grade school and junior high. (A simpler time.)


Student: <struts up to the teacher's desk> "I demand that you start calling me Nancy!"

Teacher: "Sit down Arthur. Or i'll call your Mom."

Student: "Okay." <returns to seat>

..
 
pragmatic said:
Am thinking back all those decades ago to when we were in grade school and junior high. (A simpler time.)


Student: <struts up to the teacher's desk> "I demand that you start calling me Nancy!"

Teacher: "Sit down Arthur. Or i'll call your Mom."

Student: "Okay." <returns to seat>

..
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Thinking back to a "simpler time"

Student: picks up pencil with left hand.

Teacher: smacks student with ruler


Ah, the "good old days" right?
 
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