This story comes to us from Rufus, a schoolteacher who found himself fighting for a pupil’s rights. One teacher’s refusal to respect a student’s chosen identity sets off a chain reaction. As Rufus witnesses this struggle, he devises a clever way to teach a lesson about respect. Let’s take a look.
A Student’s Transition and School’s Support
Three years ago, just before a school year began, a student who had been known as “Jacob” since kindergarten walked into the school with her parents. Now, at fifteen, she had come out as transgender and chosen the name “Janet.”
A Family’s Supportive Transition Plan
Her family wholeheartedly supported her. Together, they sat with the school administration to plan how they would address her transition during the school year.
Navigating Restroom and Name Challenges
For the most part, things were straightforward. Janet had no P.E. classes and wasn’t involved in sports, so there were no locker room concerns. There was, however, the matter of restrooms.
She Felt Out of Place
Janet felt out of place in the boys’ restroom, and she understood that some girls might feel uneasy with her using the girls’ facility. With Janet’s input, the school decided she could use single-person restrooms in specific areas.
Adapting to New Identities
However, a bureaucratic challenge emerged. The state law mandated that a student’s educational records bear their legal name. Since “Janet” wasn’t her legal name yet, it couldn’t replace “Jacob” in the system.
A Creative Solution
But a solution presented itself: the system had a section for notes about students. They added a note saying: “Jacob wishes to be known as Janet. Please refer to her as such in all communication and interaction.”
Smooth Start to the School Year
When school commenced, most students effortlessly adapted to Janet’s new identity. Even teachers who had known her for years adjusted with minimal errors.
Everyone Seemed Content
Those who made mistakes would quickly apologize and correct themselves. Everyone seemed content, and the year progressed smoothly. That was until the second semester.
Encountering “Old Witch”
Janet started a new elective class taught by a notoriously difficult teacher known to Rufus as “Old Witch.” This woman was close to retirement and set in her ways, resisting change at every turn.
She had just married a man from the school’s maintenance team, changing her last name from “Jones” to “Smith.”
Resistance From a Difficult Teacher
One day, after her class with Mrs. Smith, a visibly upset Janet walked into Rufus’s classroom.
“I Forgot, I’ll Try to Remember Next Time”
Upon inquiry, Janet revealed that Mrs. Smith repeatedly called her “Jacob,” dismissing corrections from students with a casual, “I forgot, I’ll try to remember next time.”
A Name Change and a Stubborn Teacher
Weeks passed, and Mrs. Smith’s behavior remained unchanged. The school’s administration got involved and spoke with her multiple times.
Each Instance Resulted in Mrs. Smith Defending Herself
Each instance resulted in Mrs. Smith defending herself and saying, “I’m trying, but I’m an old lady who can’t change habits easily. I’ll try, but it’s just an honest mistake.”
Mrs. Smith’s Unwillingness to Adapt
Rufus might have believed Old Witch. However, he soon learned from a colleague that in private, Mrs. Smith had admitted to purposefully using “Jacob,” stating that she would continue to do so!
“He was Jacob for years, and the system says he’s Jacob, so that’s what I’m going to call him.”
A Teacher’s Subtle Act of Advocacy
Rufus couldn’t let this slide. Seeing an LGBTQ+ student disrespected hit too close to home. So, he devised a plan.
Turning the Tables
From then on, Rufus deliberately referred to Mrs. Smith by her old name, “Mrs. Jones.” Whenever she corrected him, he echoed her words: “I’m sorry, it’s just habit. I’ll try to remember next time.”
A Growing Movement
Much to Rufus’s satisfaction, many students also started “forgetting” Mrs. Smith’s new name.
Mrs. Smith’s frustration grew as she felt the sting of being called by the wrong name. She tried seeking administrative help, but even the principal seemed to see through her. He assured her that no one would ever intentionally use the wrong name.
A Lingering Legacy
Old Witch struggled with the student body over her name for the rest of the year.
Graduation and the Retirement Connection
Rufus left the school that summer for unrelated reasons, but he later heard that Old Witch grappled with the issue until her retirement – coincidentally, the same year Janet graduated!
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Antonio Guillem. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.