Post by Nikkol on Feb 28, 2006 11:51:58 GMT -5
NBC10.com
Transgender Teacher To Return To Classroom
One Parent Expresses Opposition To Teacher Who Used To Be Man
EAGLESWOOD TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- To the students at Eagleswood Elementary School, she used to be Mr. McBeth.
Now, after undergoing a sex change, 71-year-old Lily McBeth is ready to return to teaching.
Despite criticism from leery parents, the Board of Education on Monday stood by its decision to allow McBeth to resume working as a substitute teacher -- "Miss McBeth."
After two hours of spirited public debate and a short private meeting with McBeth and her lawyer, the five-member school board took no action on calls by several parents to bar McBeth from returning to the school where she taught for five years before becoming a woman.
"It was magnificent," McBeth said afterward. "You saw democracy in action."
Macbeth had been a substitute teacher for five years in Eagleswood Township. She was rehired after taking a break of less than a year.
"I have nothing to hide," Macbeth said.
On Monday, the new McBeth -- with shoulder-length blonde hair, lipstick, nail polish, a pink sweater and a two-piece pinstriped suit -- appeared before the school board and the crowd, telling them she loves teaching and loves children and looks forward to returning to the classroom.
"This is not something I got into just as a whim," she said.
Macbeth's life has had many turns. She used to be known as William Macbeth.
"I was a father of three and a husband for 33 years," Macbeth said. "I have a great life this way because I don't have to hide from anyone. My life is an open book."
Thanks to what has become a public battle, Macbeth will be defending her private decision to the Eagleswood Township School Board Monday night. At least one parent opposes Macbeth's transformation.
"The fact she taught as man and is now a woman, it's just a huge distraction, " said Mark Schnepp.
Schnepp is so opposed to Macbeth's classroom return, he took out a full-page newspaper ad urging parents to attend Monday's meeting.
"I just wanted to let everyone know what's going on," Schnepp said.
School officials said that they expect a large crowd for the meeting and that they will have extra security on hand.
"The gentleman that ran the ad had every right to do that. This is a free country, and as long as things like that don't step on anybody's individual rights, what can you do?" Macbeth said.
Transgender Teacher To Return To Classroom
One Parent Expresses Opposition To Teacher Who Used To Be Man
EAGLESWOOD TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- To the students at Eagleswood Elementary School, she used to be Mr. McBeth.
Now, after undergoing a sex change, 71-year-old Lily McBeth is ready to return to teaching.
Despite criticism from leery parents, the Board of Education on Monday stood by its decision to allow McBeth to resume working as a substitute teacher -- "Miss McBeth."
After two hours of spirited public debate and a short private meeting with McBeth and her lawyer, the five-member school board took no action on calls by several parents to bar McBeth from returning to the school where she taught for five years before becoming a woman.
"It was magnificent," McBeth said afterward. "You saw democracy in action."
Macbeth had been a substitute teacher for five years in Eagleswood Township. She was rehired after taking a break of less than a year.
"I have nothing to hide," Macbeth said.
On Monday, the new McBeth -- with shoulder-length blonde hair, lipstick, nail polish, a pink sweater and a two-piece pinstriped suit -- appeared before the school board and the crowd, telling them she loves teaching and loves children and looks forward to returning to the classroom.
"This is not something I got into just as a whim," she said.
Macbeth's life has had many turns. She used to be known as William Macbeth.
"I was a father of three and a husband for 33 years," Macbeth said. "I have a great life this way because I don't have to hide from anyone. My life is an open book."
Thanks to what has become a public battle, Macbeth will be defending her private decision to the Eagleswood Township School Board Monday night. At least one parent opposes Macbeth's transformation.
"The fact she taught as man and is now a woman, it's just a huge distraction, " said Mark Schnepp.
Schnepp is so opposed to Macbeth's classroom return, he took out a full-page newspaper ad urging parents to attend Monday's meeting.
"I just wanted to let everyone know what's going on," Schnepp said.
School officials said that they expect a large crowd for the meeting and that they will have extra security on hand.
"The gentleman that ran the ad had every right to do that. This is a free country, and as long as things like that don't step on anybody's individual rights, what can you do?" Macbeth said.
