Promoting a Respectful School Environment for Transgender Students: Key Steps for Educators

As an educator, you have the opportunity to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for all students, including LGBTQ individuals. Garnering the support of educators like yourself is of the utmost importance to transgender teens. One way to ensure that your school environment is respectful of students’ preferred pronouns is to take proactive measures in the classroom.

Teaching About Preferred Pronouns

Many students, particularly those outside the LGBTQ community, may not be familiar with the concept of preferred pronouns. It is essential to help them understand that not all individuals identify with the pronouns assigned to them at birth. Teaching about the significance of using preferred pronouns can go a long way in promoting inclusivity and respect.

Key Points to Address:

Define what pronouns are and explain that they are the terms used by individuals to refer to themselves, regardless of their biological sex.

Discuss various pronouns that students might use, such as she/her, he/him, they/them, etc. Emphasize that these pronouns are an integral part of a person's identity and should be respected.

Encouraging Self-Identification Through Pronoun Disclosure

One effective way to ensure that students feel comfortable using the correct pronouns is by having them disclose their preferred pronouns early in the academic year. This can be done through a simple activity on 'get to know you' papers during the first day of classes.

Implementation Steps:

Include a section on your handouts or online forms asking students to write down their name, preferred pronouns, and any other information they would like to share.

Model the behavior you want to see by sharing your own preferred pronouns in class. This can help normalize the practice and make it more comfortable for students to disclose their preferences.

Emphasize that sharing preferred pronouns is a part of creating a welcoming and inclusive community. Reiterate that everyone’s pronoun is valid and should be respected.

Handling Hate and Misuse of Preferred Pronouns

Despite best efforts, it is inevitable that some students may misuse or hatefully use preferred pronouns. It is crucial to address these instances promptly and effectively.

Strategies for Handling Such Situations:

Establish clear classroom rules and consequences for the misuse of preferred pronouns. Make sure all students are aware of these rules.

When an instance of misuse occurs, address it privately with the student(s) involved. Explain why it is important to respect each other's pronouns and the impact of not doing so.

Provide resources or further support to the student(s) who may have been affected. This could include LGBTQ support groups, counseling services, or additional educational material.

Commend students who use preferred pronouns correctly and respectfully. Positive reinforcement can help to create a more inclusive classroom environment.

Conclusion

Your willingness to be supportive of transgender students is a significant step towards creating a respectful and inclusive school environment. By teaching about preferred pronouns, encouraging self-identification, and handling hate and misuse appropriately, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of LGBTQ students.

Additional Resources

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network):

Trans Lifeline:

NCTE (National Center for Transgender Equality):