Introducing Zoe

Are sessions about ''transgender issues'' in the classroom ''needed'' at this time in education conferences? <hr> [[Yes->Info yes]] [[No->Info no]]

Of course, because: <a href="http://www.glsen.org/article/2013-national-school-climate-survey" target="_blank"> <img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/hostile-school_orig.png"> </a> <hr> [[Next->Background]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoeavatar_orig.png" width="300" height="300" alt="Zoe Avatar"> Zoe is an 8th grader. <a href="https://outshinenw.org/language/" target="_blank">Assigned male at birth</a> with the name Zach, she is transitioning from male to female (MTF) with the support of her parents. <hr> [[Next->Background 2]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoeavatar_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/msmichaels-smiling_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"> <p style="clear: both;"> On the first day of class, Zoe approaches her first period teacher, Ms. Michaels, who is a white cisgender woman, to discuss a basic issue for transgender students, but one that can be very distressing for the student if not addressed. Zoe: Ms. Michaels, I notice that the roster has my old name, but would you *please* make sure that when you call roll that you use my name, which is now Zoe. Ms. Michaels: What was your name before? Zoe: Zach. <hr> What does the teacher do? [[Respect Zoe’s request]]. Tell Zoe she believes that she can only use her [[legal name]]. Loudly call attention to Zoe by emphasizing [[“Zach’s” name]] and instruct her to take a seat and wait for the class to begin.

Zoe's eyes light up, and she smiles. But as she takes her seat, some of her classmates laugh and call her "Zach." Ms. Michaels watches this bullying take place. <hr> 1) She [[does not intervene->no intervention 2]] on Zoe's behalf, thinking that the kids are harmlessly teasing Zoe. 2) She realizes the impact these microaggressions can have on Zoe's self-esteem and [[intervenes]].

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoe-upset_orig.png" width="300" height="300" alt="Zoe is upset"> Clearly disappointed, Zoe tells her, "But my parents are ok with it and told the office. Mr. Vogel said the school will make accommodations." <hr> Continue to [[use the name "Zach"]] for Zoe until speaking with the principal, Mr. Vogel, to learn what the policy is. Call Zoe by her [[new chosen name]] even though the roster says "Zach" and then speak with Mr. Vogel about the policy.

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoe-upset_orig.png" width="300" height="300" alt="Zoe upset"> Visibly upset, Zoe takes her seat while her classmates laugh and call her "Zach." Ms. Michaels watches this bullying take place. <hr> 1) She [[does not intervene]] on Zoe's behalf. 2) She feels sorry for Zoe and [[intervenes]].

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/msmichaels-mean_orig.png" width="300" height="300"> Although a couple of classmates support Zoe, the majority of the class learns that they can verbally harass her in class without consequences. <hr> [[Next->Falling grades]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoe-smiling_orig.png" width="300" height="300" alt="Zoe smiles"> Because Ms. Michaels intervened as an ally on Zoe's behalf and continued to do so whenever such bullying occurred, Zoe's classmates all soon respected her identity. She gained more friends since she now feels more comfortable and confident in her identity and safe at school. By showing compassion and respect for Zoe, other students recognized Ms. Michaels as someone to whom they could confide and find support. <hr> [[Start over->First day]]

Many classmates support Zoe, but there some students in the class who learn that they can verbally harass her at school without consequences because Ms. Michaels allows it to continue. <hr> [[Next->Falling grades]]

But, have you considered this: <a href="http://www.glsen.org/article/2013-national-school-climate-survey" target="_blank"> <img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/hostile-school_orig.png"> </a> <hr> [[Next->Background]]

Zoe has attended the same urban middle school with a student population of around 800 for the past two years. She is an A/B student, is well-liked by staff, and has a few close friends. Her school is in the Fort Worth ISD, which has inclusive policies concerning transgender students since 2011 and recently provided <a href="http://www.fwisd.org/files/_PdD0T_/03dcc86328dd3f753745a49013852ec4/Transgender_Student_Guidelines.pdf" target="_blank">guidelines for staff</a> in how to implement those policies. <hr> <img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/guidelines_orig.jpg" width="600" height="300"> <hr> [[Next->First day]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/msmichaels_orig.png" width="300" height="300" alt="Ms Michaels"> Ms. Michaels: Zoe, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize the impact this would have on you. Let's work together to get you back on track and improving your grades. What can I do to help? <img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoe-smiling2_orig.png" width="300" height="300" alt="Zoe smiles"> <hr> [[Next->offer support 2]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/msmichaels-mean_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoe-upset_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"> <p style="clear: both;"> Ms. Michaels: What do you expect, Zach? You've known the other kids for years. We all know you're really a boy wearing girls' clothes. Zoe: But, Ms. Michaels, I //am// a girl! Ms. Michaels: No, Zach. I think the problem is that you are so confused about who you are, you can't concentrate on your work. You're really just bringing this all on yourself. <hr> [[Next->expect such responses 2]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoe-smiling_orig.png" width="300" height="300" alt="Zoe smiles"> Because Ms. Michaels began to use Zoe's name and the pronouns "she" and "her" exclusively for Zoe, her classmates all soon respected Zoe's identity. She gained more friends since she now feels more comfortable and confident in her identity and safe at school. By showing compassion and respect for Zoe, other students recognized Ms. Michaels as someone to whom they could confide and find support. <hr> [[Start over->First day]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/msmichaels_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/mrvogel_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"> <p style="clear: both;"> Mr. Vogel: I'm glad to hear you respected the student's request. District policy states that we should make all reasonable accommodations for transgender students so that our school is a safe and inclusive environment for them. Using their preferred name and pronouns is part of that. Think about this as well: do you use //all// students' full legal names in class? Ms. Michaels: Well, no, I suppose I don't. Some go by shorter versions or their middle names. <hr> [[Next->new chosen name 3]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/msmichaels_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/mrvogel_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"> <p style="clear: both;"> Mr. Vogel: You certainly did the right thing. When schools don't make accommodations and use a transgender student's legal name in class against their request, it hurts the student because it denies that student their identity. It may also be considered discrimination if the same is not required of all students. It's terrible to think of how many transgender students who don't feel supported in school drop out or attempt suicide. Please be sure to also use the pronouns "she" and "her" as she and her family have requested. Ms. Michaels: I hadn't thought of that. I certainly don't wish to hurt my student! I'm glad I did the right thing so Zoe knows she is valued in my class. <hr> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9wzAuRAbK0E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> [[Next->Respect Zoe’s request 2]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/msmichaels_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/mrvogel_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"> <p style="clear: both;"> Mr. Vogel: Of course you don't. It's terrible to think of how many transgender students who don't feel supported in school drop out or attempt suicide. Please be sure to use the name Zoe for your student and the pronouns "she" and "her" as she and her family have requested. Ms. Michaels: Thank you, Mr. Vogel. I will. I want Zoe to know she is valued in my class! <hr> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9wzAuRAbK0E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> [[Next->Respect Zoe’s request 2]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoe-smiling_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/msmichaels-smiling2_orig.png" style="float: left; width: 45%; margin-right: 1%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"> <p style="clear: both;"> Because Ms. Michaels began to use Zoe's name and the pronouns "she" and "her" exclusively for Zoe, her classmates eventually respected Zoe's identity. She gained more friends since she now feels more comfortable and confident in her identity and safe at school. Her grades improved, and she had a much more positive outlook about school and her future. By showing compassion and respect for Zoe, other students recognized Ms. Michaels as someone to whom they could confide and find support. <hr> [[Start over->First day]]

<img src="http://livedcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/6/4/37642885/zoe-upset_orig.png" width="300" height="300" alt="Zoe upset"> Over time, school felt less and less safe for Zoe. The kids at school kept bullying her by continuing to call her "Zach," using incorrect pronouns, and insisting she is a boy who should not be allowed to use the girls' bathroom or locker room. Zoe became withdrawn and even severed ties with the few close friends she'd had. She felt as though she could not turn to any teachers for help when bullied. Her attendance at school worsened, and she eventually dropped out of school entirely. Like many transgender youth who do not feel supported in their communities, Zoe felt helpless and hopeless and like 41% of transgender people, attempted suicide. She survived. But how could it have been prevented? <hr> [[Start over->First day]]