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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                Chris Elliott                        Zach Lee                  Christian Palmer
                Geronimo Rodriguez       Blake Whitaker       Kristen Young

Teacher's gender identity raises issues for school

As a child, the adult world can often seem mysterious. But how do you explain to elementary school students a teacher they knew as Mr. McBeth is now Miss McBeth?

That's the quandary facing parents and administrators at Eagleswood Elementary School in New Jersey. After undergoing sex-change surgery last year, 71-year-old Lily McBeth — who, as a man, was married for 33 years and had three children -- was approved 4-1 by the school board to return to the classroom. 

Gay advocacy groups are ecstatic at the victory; some parents are livid.

McBeth's gender change has absolutely no effect on her ability to teach. At age 71 and facing harsh criticism from a group of parents, it's clear she is legitimately interested in education, not simply crusading for a cause. Records revealed at a board meeting show McBeth has received positive reviews over the course of her time as a substitute teacher.

On the other hand, it's important to note the potential repercussions when it becomes known by a school of kindergarteners through sixth graders that a teacher underwent a sex-change operation.

Kids often react to strange situations cruelly -- McBeth's safety could even be in danger. In principle, her operation should not bar her from teaching. But since she'd be returning to the same school, there's the consideration that many parents will have to introduce to their young children an idea that they'd prefer to bring up much later.

Perhaps a compromise could be reached in which McBeth switches to a different school in the same district. But if that's not possible, the fact remains that McBeth has been proven to be a quality teacher. 

The issue of her gender identity may be obvious, but it doesn't have to be discussed in detail in the classroom and poses no real threat of somehow corrupting students. Children encounter adult situations in everyday life -- good parents make sure they remain well adjusted.