The Importance of Using the Correct Pronouns

In the year 2022, no one can assume anything about anyone. This, of course, includes someone’s pronouns. There are infinite amounts of pronouns that exist and could apply to a person, and what they look like is no longer a valid indicator. In a school like Howe Sound that strives to be inclusive, pronouns are an important part of creating a safe environment for everyone. Last year, members of the Diversity Club worked together to create a Google Form that teachers could use to ask student’s pronouns after various attendees of the club had complaints about being misgendered in their classes. The form included spaces to check off multiple pronouns and add those that weren’t listed, as well as who the teacher could use those pronouns in front of and when. When asked why this was important, Mrs. Lafreniere responded with: “I think that by using students and everybody's correct pronouns you’re honouring their identity.” As our school continues to become more diverse, we also need to update the way we treat our students.

Much to the club’s dismay, this form remained unused by the majority of the staff. “It’s annoying because I have to then go out of my way to inform teachers and substitute teachers about my gender identity and my pronouns. Occasionally, I have to explain it and it’s just a waste of time that we’ve tried to avoid, so my reaction was annoyed, mostly” (Cameron, they/them). Others agreed with this statement. “It should have been so simple and easy for teachers to implement it, and then the fact that they didn’t really just put salt in the wound” (Hazel, she/her). This lack of use may have occurred for a variety of reasons, whether it was that staff already had a way to ask students their pronouns, simply not having seen it, or discomfort surrounding asking about the subject of pronouns itself. On a positive note, Mrs. Lafreniere has taken a great first step into making her classroom more inclusive: making her own pronouns known. “I started putting my pronouns up in my classroom to hopefully help students feel like they could share pronouns with me, and that it was something that I would honour.” Staff play an integral part in making our school a place where everyone feels like they can be themselves, and something that doesn’t take very long to do makes a huge impact.

One question remains: why the hesitation? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. It may be that staff feel uncomfortable asking, which is why the form was created. It was made by people whom this problem affects, and creates a safe and confidential environment that doesn’t single any one person out. At the very least, it creates a guideline that is able to be tailored to the teacher’s own needs and teaching style. Another reason could be that the teacher is worried about making mistakes with a student’s new pronouns. Mistakes do happen, but there is a correct way to handle them: quickly apologize, correct the error and then move on. It’s much better to have made a mistake than to consistently be using the wrong pronouns for a person. Asking questions is also a great way to troubleshoot if the teacher is unsure, and there’s never any harm in having to learn something new.

In all, the importance of using correct pronouns is undeniable, and Howe Sound should strive to make all its classes a safe space for people of all gender identities. The best way to start that journey is to simply ask people’s pronouns, whether that be by using the pre-made form or another way. The staff play a key role in this, and we all have to do our part to make the students feel respected and comfortable.