Inside the "Faculty Room"

Every so often a topic comes up in our faculty's email communication with each other that shows their sensitivity and thoughtfulness which might be beneficial and interesting for the rest of the community to know. The topic this time is non-binary language.

It started with an email from Latin teacher, Natalie Abbott who shared that a student was uncomfortable by a faculty member's use of the term, "Ladies and Gentlemen" in class. To solve the problem, Natalie sent this information to everyone on the Birmingham Campus, many of whom replied how thankful they were for the email. Some shared suggested alternatives like folx, people, everyone, amazing humans and Roeperians.

DEIJ Coordinator Carolyn Lett wrote: "This is a great conversation stream.  The goal here is to be inclusive and non-binary by using gender neutral and gender inclusive terminology. As some of you have stated we have to be conscientious of our long-formed habits and way of addressing people that need to be updated.  We do our best to see each student as they want to be seen.  To be aware is a first step to making a change. Keep working at it! "

School Psychological Consultant, Reanne Young shared: Thank you for sending out the email note regarding your student’s experience and for reminding us that we’re all on different paths on the journey to inclusion.  Language is so important, particularly when we consider the impacts of unintentional slights using phrases that were once common and inclusive.  I’m hoping we’ve moved away, as a community of considering these situations as “political correctness” and moving closer to true belonging.

Art teacher, Sara Mendez contributed a relevant article from Teen Vogue.