On Anna’s Terms: Supporting a Student’s Gender Transition in Elementary School

Abstract

This case study details how one leader worked to support a fifth-grade student’s gender transition midway through a school year. Despite a conservative political environment, push-back from families and community members, and district controversy surrounding adoption of a Transgender Inclusion policy, the principal worked closely with the student, her family, and teacher to create an inclusive environment on the student’s own terms. Developed from a real-life case of one elementary school principal, this case allows for leaders to reflect on how they might respond to being an ally to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer) students and, in particular, lead school and district transformation for responsive inclusion of transgender students.

Keywords

principal leadership elementary school transgender students

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