A Minnesota mother and former teacher has criticized her former school district, claiming they put gender ideology and critical race theory ahead of children’s emotional well-being.
Lindsay Bednar, a mother of two, spoke at an Anoka-Hennepin school board meeting on Oct. 23, ahead of the Nov. 7 school board election.
The former teacher said, “I have seen over the years that social-emotional learning is less about improving a student’s emotional intelligence, as was intended, and more about pushing through ideologies.
“There are two ideologies that I will discuss tonight that have become embedded in social-emotional learning in the Anoka-Hennepin District. Problem number one: children should not be sexualized.
‘We don’t need books about exploring sexuality – homosexual, heterosexual or otherwise – in schools.
Mother-of-two Lindsay Bednar addressed the board and expressed her concerns about gender and race policies
‘We don’t need teachers asking students for their pronouns. And even worse, we don’t need teachers asking students if they have a preferred pronoun that they want to keep secret from their parents. That happens in this neighborhood.’
Bednar then referred to such behavior as “grooming.”
Anoka-Hennepin is Minnesota’s largest school district, serving 38,000 students at 25 elementary schools, six middle schools and five high schools.
The 2023/24 policy manual states, “Anoka-Hennepin schools have a growing number of students who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming.”
It adds: ‘All students, including transgender and gender non-conforming students, may use all facilities consistent with their gender identity.’
If students request more private spaces to change, the policy suggests they can use an “alternate changing area,” including a “P.E. teacher office in the locker room.”
It adds: ‘In some circumstances, transgender students may not want their parents to know about their transgender status or express their affirmed gender at school.
“Parents or guardians have the right to access the information unless a court order provides otherwise or the student requests that the information be withheld and the school determines that this is in the student’s best interests.”
Ms. Bednar said she decided to talk about gender ideology and critical race theory after speaking to people who “feel like they can’t speak out.”
Critical race theory is the study of how racism has shaped modern society. It explains how racism is embedded in laws, policies and institutions.
But it has been criticized for portraying all white people as ‘oppressors’ and some argue that it should therefore not be taught in schools.
Similarly, the schools’ gender policy is designed to be inclusive of all children by helping them live according to their perceived gender identity – which may or may not be the same as their gender.
But some say the inclusive policies could be exploited or lead to unsafe situations.
Local father Steve Kalina said students can choose which locker room to use based on self-identification
Ms. Bednar said: “Teaching white children that they are oppressed or privileged because of the color of their skin is extremely harmful and categorically wrong.
“Teaching black children that they are victims because of the color of their skin is disempowering and condescending.”
“This district must move away from divisive education and elevate all cultures and races.”
A local father, Steve Kalina, also spoke at the meeting.
He then said, “I cannot condone or stand by when our state and district leaders make it okay for a young man to change in a women’s locker room, for a child to change in a teacher’s office, or for the district to hides gender transitions from children’s own parents.
In a statement, an Anoka-Hennepin spokesperson told DailyMail.com the district policy was communicated to parents and guardians on the policy section of the website.
“School guidance indicates that staff should use a student’s preferred pronoun “after consultation with the parent and student,” they said.
“This direction is consistent with guidance provided to all Minnesota schools.
“Parents should acknowledge that they have read the policy manual as part of the district’s annual enrollment process. This information is being shared widely throughout the district.”