Respecting Differences – Scenarios Activity
Ken was named Amy at birth. Ken recently came out as transgender over the summer. Ken wants to use he/him pronouns instead of she/her pronouns. It is now the first day of school, and although his family and friends support him, his school records still use the name Amy. Ken wants to tell his teacher before the teacher takes roll this morning but is nervous to see the teacher’s reaction.
It’s important for Ken to communicate his preferred name and pronouns to his teacher. He could approach the teacher before roll call and say something like, “Hi, I wanted to let you know that I go by Ken now and use he/him pronouns.” This straightforward approach helps ensure that the teacher recognizes Ken’s identity and uses the correct name and pronouns moving forward. It’s normal to feel nervous, but most teachers appreciate when students advocate for themselves and their identities. This respects Ken’s difference and promotes a supportive environment.
If you have more questions about respecting differences or handling similar scenarios, feel free to ask!