Florida Teachers at Risk of Sanctions Over Gender Identity and Pronouns
Teachers in Florida may face sanctions and potential loss of certification due to new education laws that address issues such as gender identity and pronouns used by students. Recently, school district leaders received an updated version of the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. This document introduces several new prohibitions that teachers must follow. For instance, teachers cannot provide classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity unless it is required by the curriculum. They also cannot discourage or prevent parental involvement in critical issues regarding a student’s well-being, unless they believe it would harm the child. Moreover, intentionally violating the law on personal pronouns and titles within schools is also prohibited.
The State Board of Education has expanded its definition of immoral acts and moral turpitude to include exposing students to pornography or adult entertainment. These recent laws have raised concerns among educators about the potential consequences they may face if found non-compliant. However, with the circulation of new rules related to these laws, the uncertainty is diminishing. The updated professional conduct document, along with the broadened definition of moral turpitude, has made one thing clear: teachers risk receiving warnings, fines, and even losing their certification.
Lindsey Blankenbaker, the executive director of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, described this reality as stark. She further emphasized that teachers could potentially lose not only their jobs but their entire careers, which they have dedicated to protecting and caring for children. Although it is not yet known what specific penalties would be imposed, previous cases have shown that consequences can range from reprimand and fines to suspension or revocation of a teaching certificate. Even mild repercussions can be detrimental for teachers as they remain on their records.
Rob Kriete, president of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, believes that teachers need unions to protect them, considering the demanding moral standards associated with their profession. It is important to note that no immediate actions are expected as professional conduct cases typically take months or even years to be resolved. Christie Gold, who works in the Hillsborough school district’s human resources department, stressed that the intentionally broad language used in the rules serves a purpose. It allows for the consideration of different circumstances when determining whether a teacher intentionally committed a prohibited action or if it occurred without their encouragement.
The introduction of these new laws has caused anxiety among teachers, who are unsure about the extent to which they need to hide their personal identities or be discreet to comply with the regulations. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential chilling effect on instruction and interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable students. Educational professionals anticipate that many will approach their jobs with trepidation due to the potential consequences they may face.
In conclusion, the implementation of new education laws in Florida raises significant implications for teachers. The potential sanctions and possible loss of certification create a challenging atmosphere for educators. As the disciplinary system adapts to these laws, it becomes increasingly important for teachers to abide by the updated Principles of Professional Conduct to avoid severe consequences. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how the education commissioner will interpret and enforce these rules, as they involve potentially subjective terms such as intentionally and instruction.
