Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1509126
university in the U.S., and is set to graduate early with a 4-year degree and a minor. Thi s stu d ent e xempli f i e s w h a t t h e b o a r d w o u l d h i g h l i g h t a s a s u c c e s s - f u l p r o d u c t o f MV U S D 's outstanding teachers, aca- d emi c opp or tuniti e s an d extracurricular programs. This student is also gay and nonbinary. I know this because this student is my own child. Their identity and their success are not mutually exclusive, nor are they successful in spite of their identity ; rather, their identity is just another human value that makes them strong, unique and empathetic. When you isolate queer students as the "other," or as a political mob, or as confused and misguided, you fail to represent the students you are supposed to be serving. Your queer students are also your top students, whether you like it or not. Yo u u s e t h e i r st o r i e s f o r y o u r b e n e f it , w h e n th e i r successes boost the value of your district, yet you just as easily abuse their humanity when it serves your discrim- inatory agenda. ey will be the ones run- ning for office and enacting laws to undo the harm you h av e s o w n i n t h i s r o o m . They will replace you and restore fairness and decency to our educational system. ey have learned exactly what we teach them: to stand up and fight for what is right. And Mr. Diffley, their fight has just begun. Read our story "Defending Our Schools and Students" (page 24), which looks at how educators are fighting to protect students from politicized policies that impact learning and safety. Karen Poznanski (back to camera) speaks to the Murrieta Valley USD board meeting on Sept. 14. 16 cta.org Spotlight FREE lessons, resources and project planning tools for grades 6-12. • EXPLORE food insecurity issues • ACT on solutions by implementing a project • TELL your story and submit a short video • Win grants for your charity or school GET STARTED TODAY! ExploreActTell.org/registration STUDENTS TAKE ACTION AGAINST HUNGER