by Brenna Henderson ‘21

She/her, he/him, they/them. These pronouns are used when referring to anyone, and often, people can accidentally use the wrong pronoun. Misgendering someone might not seem like a big deal, but to someone who has gone through a lot to understand themselves and be accepted, it can be very hurtful and disrespectful. It happens often though, as we tend to make assumptions about a person based on readily available information such as their appearance or their name. A common saying is first impressions matter, and if a first impression is misgendering the person, it can create an uncomfortable relationship. If this were to happen between teachers and students, it could lead to an unsettling learning environment.

To avoid a potentially uneasy environment, MCPS should require teachers to request student’s preferred pronouns at the start of each semester. It is important to differentiate between requests and requirements. By knowing preferred pronouns, teachers and students will be able to converse respectfully with each other and feel comfortable in the classroom. However, if a student does not feel comfortable sharing their pronouns, they should not be forced to. Asking for pronouns, by written or online survey, only takes five minutes and can create a welcoming and inclusive environment instead of a poor relationship between students and teachers. It would show students that they and their pronouns are accepted by the staff.