A children’s author from Australia has come to the defense of a US teacher who is at risk of losing her job after reading his book about a non-binary child to her class. Here’s what happened.
She Read a Non-binary Book
In March, Katie Rinderle purchased “My Shadow is Purple” at a book fair and read it to her students at an Elementary School.
The book revolves around a non-binary child who doesn’t identify strictly as a boy or a girl.
The Teacher Encouraged the Children to Write Their Own Shadow Poems
Following the reading, Rinderle facilitated a discussion about inclusion and acceptance, encouraging students to reflect on the themes and write their own shadow poems.
A Parent Filed a Complaint
However, a parent learned about this and filed a complaint about “adult” and “inappropriate” material, leading to Rinderle being investigated and potentially facing termination.
The Teacher Is Facing Potential Termination
She was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into whether she violated Georgia’s new divisive concepts laws.
The Book Author Comes to Her Defense
Scott Stuart, the author of “My Shadow is Purple,” has vehemently defended the teacher and his book against allegations of inappropriate content.
Disgust at Consequences
He expressed his disgust at the potential consequences faced by Rinderle, emphasizing that his book promotes acceptance and inclusion without any adult elements.
The Book Has Received Positive Feedback From Parents
Stuart took to TikTok to showcase the profound reflections from students about the book and the positive feedback received from their parents.
He Asked for Support
He called for the support of teachers rather than vilifying them, pointing out the transformative impact Rinderle has had on her students.
The Problem Behind Georgia’s Divisive Law
The situation highlights the challenges posed by Georgia’s divisive concepts laws.
Challenging Laws
The public argues that these laws, passed last year, are vague and difficult to interpret, making it challenging for educators to navigate potential violations.
The Teacher’s Lawyers Argued About the Law
Rinderle’s lawyers argue that the laws do not explicitly mention gender or sexuality, further complicating the case.
Concerns Over Vague Concepts
The lack of clarity surrounding what constitutes “divisive concepts” has raised concerns about how these laws are being applied in practice and their potential impact on removing dedicated teachers from classrooms.
Is the US More Concerned About Politics Than Education?
The author says some school systems in the US are more concerned about politics than educating students.
School Defends Its Actions
The Cobb County School District stands by its actions and claims that they are appropriate considering the entirety of the teacher’s behavior and history.
District’s Commitment to Enforcing Policies and Laws
The district remains committed to enforcing all board policies and laws.
The Teacher Is Not Giving Up
Meanwhile, Rinderle continues to fight the termination and faces a hearing in August.
Questioning District’s Definition
She questions the district’s definition of divisive concepts and laments the labeling of specific topics as “adult” themed without a clear understanding of what these terms entail.
The Story Garnered Attention
Stuart’s support for Rinderle has garnered widespread attention and generated significant support from both viewers and educators.
Desire for Inclusivity
Many viewers expressed their desire to have access to books like “My Shadow is Purple” during their childhood, recognizing the positive impact it can have on children’s understanding of diversity and acceptance.
Schools Are Going to Stock This Book
Educators from across the United States expressed their intention to stock Stuart’s book in their libraries, highlighting its popularity and relevance in fostering discussions about embracing differences.
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The post Teacher Terminated for Reading Trans-Themed Book to School Children – More Schools Commit to Stock the Book in Response first appeared on Wealthy Living.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock /eanstudio. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
This post is based on mail online but the names have been changed.