Punishing for What's Taught

So we have some new and possible state laws dealing with what is taught or not and the possible ramifications if a school, and by extension its teachers, don't heed the law.

Here's why I think this is an important issue to examine.

Students, like all of us, are different from one another.    We have different sexes, different facial appearances, different cultural/race backgrounds along with a whole bunch of other differences.  Heck, we cut our hair and dress differently.

This young and untested first year teacher (me) simply assumed a quiet, long haired student who sat in the back of the room in what 'seemed' a sullen matter assumed that this boy didn't care.   Turned out he was quite bright and was a positive force in the class.    Lesson learned!

Was he different?   Yes!  But there is nothing to fear if a transgender or LGBTQ is in school.    They are students who need to be treated properly like any other student.    The people in these state legislatures  passing these laws need to get over their fear of others because the students are somehow different.

Have a good weekend

Dick