Gender Diversity at TME

Thursday, May 4, 2023 Volume 17 Issue 29

As a staff, we work hard to create a climate where everyone feels they belong. In our classrooms, teachers regularly talk to students about how to support and celebrate the differences in our school and make space for everyone to feel seen. School is a place where we strive to respect one another and learn to work together, regardless of differences. Learning about gender diversity is a part of this work.

I love this time of year, as I begin going into each K-5 classroom to do the Seattle Schools Gender Kit lessons. In each lesson, I talk about gender diversity in a way that is age-appropriate and supportive of all kids and families. We read a book, talk about gender roles, gender expression and gender identity. The focus is on how people identify themselves in a way that feels true for them.

You can support your student at home by answering questions they may have and by encouraging an open dialogue about your family values and beliefs, as well as reinforcing messages they receive at school, focusing on kindness and respect, being inclusive and resisting and reporting bullying. Please see the key messages and best practices I weave into my lessons, that can also be reinforced at home.

As families, you may find it helpful to seek resources and information for yourselves and for your kids. Below are a few online resources you may find helpful. As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Thank you for your engagement in this important work and in making sure all our students feel a sense of belonging and safety at Thurgood Marshall.

Key Messages and Best Practices

At school, there are no such thing as boy toys and girl toys (or boy games and girl games)
At school, we respect who kids are and how they express themselves
It is NOT OKAY to give teasing messages
Everyone has a sexual orientation and a gender identity
Gender, Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression differ
A person knows their gender identity because they feel like a boy, a girl, both, neither or somewhere in between, not because of their body parts.
People of all sexual orientations and gender identities deserve a safe and welcoming school environment
Each person is their own expert