(Alex Tien, Headline USA) A Massachusetts school teacher has been terminated for being a whistleblower, informing parents that their child had been receiving advice about transitioning to a different gender.
Baird Middle School teacher Bonnie Manchester was put on leave after informing parents that school counselors had socially transitioned their middle school daughter to a new, genderqueer identity, Just the News reported.
The two parents, Stephen Foote and Marissa Silvestri, had previously requested for the school not to have “private conversations” about the topic with their child.
Unfortunately, it has become more common for schools to go behind parent’s back when dealing with issues of gender transition with students.
Baird Middle School’s example is increasingly troubling considering the fact that not only did the parents specifically request that the school not have these conversations with their student, but also, an example was made out of the whistleblower by putting her on leave.
In December of 2020, student “B.F.” spoke with her teacher, Manchester, about her insecurity and low self esteem, as well as an attraction to other girls. With the student’s permission, Manchester spoke with B.F.’s parents about the matter.
The student’s parents then spoke with school officials and alerted them that their student was getting professional help and at that time requested that conversations not be had with their student regarding the matter.
A few months later, B.F. sent an email to teachers announcing her new name and identity to teachers. Shockingly, school counselor Marie-Claire Foley directed her fellow staff members to conceal this information from Foote and Silvestri, and a week later reiterated the directive to teachers.
The school’s secrecy and denial continued, even after the student’s parents called out the principal via a video call.
The case in Massachusetts is yet another example of the ongoing battle for control over student’s personal lives.
