After reading this article I couldn't help of thinking of my own journey in life. I was always picked on as a teenage by my own classmates. My freckles were my down fall, my classmates looked at my outward appearance and not inwardly. I cried many days when coming home from school. Each dat they would tease me from the beginning of school until the end of the day. They would take a pen make a round circle on their hand and say we won't catch her spots,than they would just laugh. When you get older this truly affects you your whole life, no self confidence and low set esteem.
I can emphasize with my students when they struggle on who they are,or what they should do. Some of my students come and share their stories with me. One student who was born a girl shared that from the time she was young she felt like a boy. I always let her share with me the struggle hushed was having. Than one day I was told I feel male and am going to start my transition. The wold four years we had great conversations about his transition. Just before graduation he came and told me he was thankful for my listening and never judging.
All students need a place where they can go and fell safe,and care for and not judged. Our school always accepts the students who they are, with no judgement. Over the past few years we have had lesbians, homosexuals, transsexuals and bisexuals. They can feel safe in their surroundings with no judgement imposed on them. It is truly exciting that we have the teacher of the year for Rhode Island,and he is a homosexual,is married to a great man. Nikos is a wonderful man who is a great educator,whose passion is his students. He is in charge of a club that is for all at school. I have great respect for him.
The web sit for www.GlSEN.org was very informative and I feel has a lot of educational material for all educators.
I can emphasize with my students when they struggle on who they are,or what they should do. Some of my students come and share their stories with me. One student who was born a girl shared that from the time she was young she felt like a boy. I always let her share with me the struggle hushed was having. Than one day I was told I feel male and am going to start my transition. The wold four years we had great conversations about his transition. Just before graduation he came and told me he was thankful for my listening and never judging.
All students need a place where they can go and fell safe,and care for and not judged. Our school always accepts the students who they are, with no judgement. Over the past few years we have had lesbians, homosexuals, transsexuals and bisexuals. They can feel safe in their surroundings with no judgement imposed on them. It is truly exciting that we have the teacher of the year for Rhode Island,and he is a homosexual,is married to a great man. Nikos is a wonderful man who is a great educator,whose passion is his students. He is in charge of a club that is for all at school. I have great respect for him.
The web sit for www.GlSEN.org was very informative and I feel has a lot of educational material for all educators.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteMy heart broke for you as I read about what ou went through as a child. I am also floored by how amazing you are as a person, what with all of the stories you have shared in class and on your blog. You truly have a heart of gold. Obviously the student you mentioned here felt the same way because he came to you for help and support, and you provided it unconditionally. Thank you so much for sharing. You truly shared an inspirational story.
Mary, Thank you for sharing your personal story. I am so sorry that you went through such hardship. It's awful being bullied. Fast forward to your current role ...you are making a difference Mary!! I love this..it is a privilege to be THAT person....that person that the students can go to and pour their hearts out to. You are that trusted person....Wow....
ReplyDeleteMary, the ability to share such a hard personal experience shows what a difference maker you are! I find that there are too many of such instances and we need to take drastic measures to do something about bullying. Your connections to your students will teach far more than any academic lesson and your compassion will be remember much longer than lesson or assignment. I will begin a program for the Central Falls students and use the money and spirit you shared with me to be the difference for my students. I will follow up with you and Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteMary, your own personal experiences truly help you understand the students you serve, and your blog goes to show us that there are many different ways of being excluded but that as an adult in a school we can all make an impact. I wonder if that student who transitioned while at school was able to confide in his teachers the same way he did with you. I have so many questions about how the school handled and presented this situation to the students since at my new school there is an uprising second grader who has also self-identified as transsexual. As the article discussed, many teachers and other professionals keep quiet about such topics, and I feel this is happening at my school where the majority of our staff are benefiting from orientation privilege. I would love to know more about this student and how teachers at your school create a safe space for all.
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you so much for sharing such a difficult personal story. I totally can relate to the bullying and feeling "out of place," as I had discussed in my own personal reflection. Kids can really be so cruel and it is so great to have adults to reach out to in times of need. I hope to be someone that students will feel comfortable talking to in tough and in good times. It can be so challenging for teens to reach out to adults, so be proud of yourself that your students felt strong enough to reach out to you for guidance. It truly says a lot about the person you are :)
ReplyDeleteMichele Russo
Thanks for this Mary... your experience supporting a transgender student is a powerful one. Research says that just one supportive, trusted adult can be the lifeline for many kids who are bullied (for any reason, not just sexual orientation or gender identity.) School nurses have such an important role to play here!
ReplyDelete