Latest news with #JournaloftheNSWTeachersFederation
New York Post
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
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. 3 The union suggests using the terms 'epic and awesome humans' instead of 'boys and girls.' Monkey Business – 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.' 3 The change in greetings in classrooms is a push for schools to become more inclusive, according to the union. Nina L/ – 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'. 3 They also suggest that music students be referred to as composers and maths students as 'mathematicians, critical thinkers or problem solvers.' Vasyl – 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.' has contacted the NSW Teachers Federation for comment.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Nothing but virtue signalling rubbish': Educators furious as NSW Teachers Federation calls for gender-neutral greetings in classroom instead of 'girls' and 'boys'
The NSW Teachers Federation has made a controversial call to use ''gender-neutral greetings'' in the classroom that has infuriated some educators, marking the latest attempt for schools to become more "inclusive". The union's quarterly magazine recommends teachers withdraw traditional classroom terms such as "girls" and "boys" and instead replace them with language such as "awesome humans". "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 in its magazine under a section that is dedicated to gender-neutral greetings. Colleen Harkin, Institute of Public Affairs Schools Program Director and Research Fellow, told the attempt at inclusivity is "nothing but virtue signalling rubbish from the NSW Teachers Federation". "Parents would rightfully be appalled at this latest attempt to jam even more woke activism into classrooms," Ms 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 dehumanising pursuit of ideological conformity that denies biological reality. 'Our education system is already in crisis with declining standards in core subjects. Schools need to focus on ensuring students are proficient in reading, writing and numeracy not radical social justice causes.' Teachers have been provided with more than 20 inclusive terms to choose from to address their students by the magazine. The range starts with "easy basics" such as class, people, students, everyone and everybody that are "perfect for those starting out with changing their language." Empowering terms such as "change-makers", "future leaders" or "superstars" have also been recommended over "inappropriate" gendered language. The recommendation then extends to subject-specific language in which English students are 'readers, writers, actors, playwrights' and 'poets', while Science students are "scientists", "explorers", "investigators". Furious teachers reached out to radio station 2GB's Ben Fordham to express their concerns over the recommendations and criticised the various gender-neutral terms they are recommended to implement. "Words such as experts and intellectuals have a clear definition and meaning in society,' one teacher said. 'We're now expected to categorise students in Year 9 woodworking class, with the ranks of intellectuals." "My quarterly magazine from the NSW Teacher's Federation has arrived in the mail and it included some hints for inclusion, as a primary school teacher in a support unit, this offends me," another wrote.
