Geneva D-304 mom calls for LGBTQ+ to be included in teacher diversity, equity training

GENEVA – The parent of a non-binary student urged Geneva District 304 officials to include LGBTQ+ students in its diversity, equity and inclusion training for staff.

Non-binary is to identify oneself – and one’s gender – as existing outside of the binary definitions of man or woman, masculine or feminine, according to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

“A lot of discussion this spring revolved around experience of racial minorities in our schools,” parent Martha Paschke said at the June 21 meeting. “The LGBTQ+ kids are important as well. And this needs to be part of the diversity, equality, inclusion conversation.”

Paschke ran unsuccessfully for state representative in the 65th district, losing to incumbent Daniel Ugaste, R-Geneva, in 2020.

Paschke, whose child is non-binary, said a recent panel discussion of gay and transgender community members in Geneva shared how most of their experiences with teachers was positive.

“And that’s great. Most of the bad stuff is happening in the hallways and the buses. And some of it is also happening in the classrooms, because teachers don’t have an in-depth understanding of how to care for and treat these students in their classrooms,” Paschke said.

“One of the most upsetting things that we learned from these students – which in full disclosure included my own child – was that recognizing gender pronouns is not something that our teachers are familiar with,” Paschke said.

Some teachers do, some try, many are just not aware “how important it is to our students to have their gender pronouns affirmed because that is their identity,” Paschke said.

“So when they are misgendered over and over by classroom teachers who only refer to girls and boys men and women – girls here boys there – they have non-binary students in classrooms who are misgendered constantly,” Paschke said. “We have transgender students in our district who have been told by teachers, ‘I’m going to keep calling you she because that’s how I know you.’ That’s not their gender. It’s damaging.”

Pashke said using proper gender pronouns on school paperwork and forms “is really important to these kids.”

“It’s something that we’ve fallen way behind on,” Paschke said. “And that is something that goes from admin all the way down (to) the way teachers refer to students.”

Paschke said other districts are doing equity audits and she encouraged District 304 to do one as well.

“We need to do equity training for our staff,” Paschke said.

Kevin Gannon, president of the Geneva Education Association, stated in a text message that the district has provided in-service training for teachers regarding LGBTQ students.

“And it has benefitted teachers and the students we work with, but there is always room for improvement,” according to Gannon’s text.

“Our LGBTQ students, who are discovering and may be struggling with their sexual identity, experience some very difficult social and emotional situations. Ongoing training would be a powerful signal to the students that we are committed to their well-being. This additional in-service would also help teachers identify and support students who are in need,” Gannon’s text stated.

“Sensitivity to and proper use of pronouns is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to addressing the unique needs of our LGBTQ students that additional in-service training would provide teachers,” Gannon texted.

District officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.