Educators' Guide Supporting Successful Gender Transition

Teachers and administrators are two of the gatekeepers of the vital mission to impart practical knowledge on young and impressionable hearts and minds.As the fabric of society changes along with priorities and preferences, it is imperative to ensure educators and caretakers are equipped with the training and ongoing support to do their job effectively and efficiently for all children regardless of race, color, religion, sexual preference, nationality, physical appearance, physical or emotional disability, gender identity, etc. This concept is not the exclusive domain of lesson curriculum or physical objects and teaching tools required to implement required/mandated education goals. A critical foundational element for successful educators and caregivers is thorough understanding of unconditional equality, diversity and inclusion and indoctrination of these three key principles in the lives of people entrusted with the care and well-being of their charges.Start with a simple concept, a person is a person is a person. Any qualifiers you choose to place on people may unwittingly serve to erect walls of bias, regardless whether intentional or unintentional. Bias is learned and can only serve to place blinders on our ability to expand our level of knowledge and understanding thus stifling innovation and making us residents of our self-constructed walls.Educators and caregivers face sometimes daunting challenges because of the variety in their student body. This places teachers, administrators and caregivers on the forefront of the opportunity curve to build in themselves and in their students, the ability to view the world through a clear lens and to utilize every moment to open themselves to learning about others, promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion; marveling in the wonders of diversity.