Australian teachers union urges educators to use gender-neutral terms in the classroom

The NSW Teachers Federation union has called for “gender-neutral” greetings in classrooms in a push for schools to become more “inclusive”.The quarterly magazine article released by the union has angered some educators and suggests using the terms “epic and awesome humans” instead of “boys and girls”, to avoid gendered language.“While most teachers have moved away from saying phrases like ‘Okay boys and girls’, there are times when we may, accidentally, be addressing whole classes or groups using gendered language,” the Journal of the NSW Teachers Federation wrote.Speaking to Sky News, Colleen Harkin, Institute of Public Affairs Schools Program Director and Research Fellow, said the attempt at inclusivity is “nothing but virtue signaling”.“Parents would rightfully be appalled at this latest attempt to jam even more woke activism into classrooms,” Harkin said.“As a former teacher myself, my students would have rightfully laughed me out of the room had I attempted to call them ‘epic and awesome humans’.It’s a dehumanizing pursuit of ideological conformity that denies biological reality.”The article also includes “subject specific” terms.

It suggests music students be referred to as composers and math students as “mathematicians, critical thinkers or problem solvers”.There are also “empowering” terms including “experts, intellectuals, learners, future leaders, change makers and superstars”.The article suggests English students are referred to as “readers, writers, actors, playwrights and poets”.Some teachers wrote into 2GB radio station with concerns.“Words such as ‘experts’ and ‘intellectuals’ have a clear definition and meaning in society,” one teacher said.“We’re now expected to categorize students in Year 9 woodworking class, with the ranks of intellectuals.”News.com.au has contacted the NSW Teachers Federation for comment....