Thursday, March 28, 2013
I WON...sort of
I am fairly certain this is 2013. Why then, in this day in age, is there so much discrimination? So, where is my outrage coming from you ask?
A few days ago, two students at the school where I teach were denied a "couples ticket" to prom. Why? They are lesbians. That's it.
Momentarily I considered paying the additional $5 for them each to have their own ticket. But that wouldn't do. It's bigger than that. (Does anyone here read the newspaper or listen to the news? Do they even know what the Supreme Court will be deciding?)
This shouldn't even be an issue... especially given the conscience of the nation at this time. I figured I'd just speak to the teacher in charge. When I questioned this decision, I was told, "Our State doesn't recognize this (love?) as being ok, and neither does this school."
Certainly our school's discrimination policy would quickly end this. It didn't.
It is the policy of the__________ County Public School System not to discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnic or national origin, citizenship status, sex, religion, handicap or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by the Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
However, another school in the same district had a slightly different statement.
It is the policy of the ____________County Public School System not to discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnic or national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, religion, handicap or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by the Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
I appealed to the principal; thinking maybe it was it a mistake. Clearly, it must be wrong. It wasn't. In fact, the other school had not "updated" theirs. (Updated to what? 1960? Because that's regressing.)
The principal, seeing a potential problem, permitted the ticket to be sold, and it was. YAYYYYY!!! I won.
Except I didn't. I was "talked to" about this. It may or may not have been a reprimand, it was delivered in a professional manner, but was essentially to stay out or any future issues. I took that as I shouldn't advocate for or protect my students. How would you?
I love my job, but my favorite part is that I get to help kids. Fortunately, in this instance, I did.
I also got a beautiful letter from a parent, thanking me for "putting myself on the line for a student..." further, "I wish we had more teachers like you."
So, I guess I really did win.
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Most importantly, you made a difference in the girls' young lives. Empowering our students in a loving, supportive way is much more rewarding or gratifying than any teacher evaluation. I hope they have a great time at prom!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they fixed it but then told you not to call them out again. How ridiculous. I'm proud of you for saying something!
ReplyDeleteThe thing is as a teacher and mother your number one priority and job is to protect the children and you did that. They had no right to tell you that you should not get into matters like this. As far as I am concerned you did your job and the people that reprimanded you are the ones that should get a talking to. They should be happy you said something before this was on the news.
ReplyDeleteI did end up with a formal reprimand the following day, but, whatever this comes to, I'd much rather be know as the teacher who fought for her kids than the teacher who was against them.
ReplyDeleteNow that I am no longer your student I just want you to know that I really did appreciate what you did. I have never had a teacher defend my rights. Teachers in this area have treated me as less than ever since we started dating three years ago. I have had teachers ignore me completely when I asked for help. That is why I respect you so much. You looked at me as a person and that made all the difference. You could have lost so much and you still defended us. I am so glad to have had one teacher that actually cared before I graduated. Thank you and I'm going to miss you!!
ReplyDeletePatricia!!! I didn't even see that you commented on this until today! (I hope you are alerted to responses...) Hope your summer's been good--I'll definitely miss you this year!
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