Replies

I dunno, why not just use the pronouns? If its school policy, then do so.

The man is teaching French. French is very into genders for nouns and adjectives. Many—most? professions have separate forms for male and female practitioners, including the word for ‘student’.

So is he required by the board to use (and teach) the French language incorrectly?Ok, kids, “il” is “he” and “elle” is she, unless elle thinks she should be an il, in which case the rule get changed to suit il/elle.

Don’t misunderstand, as a teacher, I want the student to be comfortable. I might not use its preferred pronouns but perhaps its last name, but if to stop a potential injury I would likely revert to the real pronoun, without meaning to call offense. I don’t think he was defying the board in this instance.

I once had a student named Alexia. But she insisted it was pronounced Al ex i a with the stress on the i. Couldn’t do it. I called her ‘Al’ or by her last name and she was fine with it. I thought it was just a affectation. But she was/is Greek and she was pronouncing it in the Greek style. I started saying it her way.