LETTER: Feelings of a few shouldn't outweigh students' needs

Part of loving something is supporting its best qualities while simultaneously helping them address their weaknesses. Blindly agreeing with everything one does will never serve anyone’s interests. So it’s with love and gratitude for the city of Rio Rancho, the community I’m fortunate to find here, and the school district I work in that I ask we move toward equity.

Last fall, employees received an email from Dr. Sue Cleveland stating we couldn’t post rainbow “Safe Space” signs to show support for vulnerable students, leaving said students to watch visible support be taken down. LGBTQ+ teachers who grew up without this support and were glad to provide it, were crushed as we took down these signs. When have we ever allowed a single voice to micromanage the ways educators meet the social-emotional needs of our students? When has our goal ever been to contradict educational best practices to save the feelings of the few?

The counterargument that all spaces should be safe for all students falsely assumes everyone experiences the same risks, doing a disservice to the vulnerable. According to a training RRPS staff must take, “A recent study has shown that 58% of students have heard homophobic remarks from a teacher at school.” The training goes on, “LGBTQ+ students are at a greater risk of bullying, depression, dropping out and suicide.” Best practices indicate those with higher risk should receive a higher (and equitable) degree of support, so why should this be any different? When those upset by a rainbow experience these same risks, then equity dictates we provide extra support in response, but no data exists to that effect.

Understanding the risks and discrimination associated with different backgrounds and responding accordingly is vital to meeting the needs of our students, and a couple people’s feelings don’t supersede those needs.

Andrew Ryan

Albuquerque