I write from the perspective of a former educator with seventeen years of teaching in primary grade classrooms, as the mother of three grown children, and five grandchildren, one of whom is transgender. These guidelines outline policies that will provide a safe, supportive, and kind school environment for all children. This type of environment is needed by all children in order to learn and grow to their potential.
Someone wise once said, "I don't remember many words my teachers said, or books or things they showed me, but I do remember how they made me feel". I finished high school nearly a half-century ago, but my most vivid memories are of times when I had intense feelings: winning an award, a teacher's private and sincere compliment on my writing, classmates teasing me about my skinny legs or laughing at my failed attempts to climb the rope in gym class. The good feelings make you float on air and want to work harder; the horrible feelings blot out everything and turn your day black. These guidelines will help children have those good feelings, and minimize the horrible ones.