Columbia Secondary School is a small, specialized high school located in Harlem whose members pride themselves on a dedication to diversity. Working in such an environment encouraged 7th grade Math teacher, Chance Nalley to invite his students to the commitment ceremony that he will be celebrating in April.
Susan Dominus at The New York Times reports that Nalley first revealed his sexual orientation to his students at a diversity workshop in 2007. His principal, Jose Maldonado-Rivera, was supportive of Nalley's actions.
Still, the decision to come out to the students was not without some criticism. Dominus reports that after the workshop, two parents expressed that they did not want their children to attend Nalley's class. The principal, however, supported Nalley and the children remained in the school.
Nalley explained that he decided to invite the students to his commitment ceremony because they wanted to attend:
“They kept asking if they were invited. Originally, I said no. But when I found a venue that turned out to be big enough I said, ‘O.K., you can come.’ I invited their parents, too.”
A couple of parents complained about the invitations, but Principal Maldonado-Rivera expressed to them that he sees the school as an "extended family" and that he supports the invitation. Two thirds of the schools' 7th graders are planning on attending the ceremony.
You can read more at The New York Times.
Comments
I applaud him and his principal. While I don't think it is necessary for teachers to share their personal relationships with their students, the assumption that all teachers are heterosexuals is one that is often made without regard for the reality that not all teachers are straight. Teachers who are not straight may feel as if they have to hide and the lack of openness about it automatically casts a dark shadow over those who identify with alternative lifestyles. The support that this teacher has received from his Principal may, in turn, help diffuse potential bullying or acts of hate within the school. Good Job!
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