student who is ftm

[jendawn47]

I am a high school teacher in Indiana and teach senior level courses.  I am also transgender mtf.  i have a young man in my classroom this year who is ftm.  I am trying to make him as comfortable as possible in class and I was wondering if there were any hints out there that could help.  he is not totally out so i can not use his chosen name and or male pronouns.  i have taken the step and let him know that I am also trans although i am going in the opposite direction than where he is going.  We have talked about some trans issues and i have given him some resources and invited him to a trans meeting in Indianapolis later in the month.  he is comfortable enough that he does let me wash his binder for him when it gets dirty.  he lives in a very homophobic community and his parents are definitely non supporters.  He has about 8 more months of living at home and then he can get out and be relatively free, he may go to college on his parents dime so they may have some control over him even when he moves out.  any help would be appreciated and as always moderators if this is in the wrong place please move it.  Thanks for listening and i am sorry it is os long

Jennifer

[FTMax]

Hi Jen,

First, I think it's great that you want to help out your student. If he's not totally out, you're probably doing all that you can do for him. Continue to point him toward community resources, support groups, etc. I would definitely encourage him to take advantage of the free college if his parents are paying for it. I know it seems awful to continue to delay transition once you're 18, but for most FTMs there's really no harm in waiting as long as you can mentally handle it. And he'd just be in such a better place with a degree and no student loan debt. He could hypothetically get a job during college and save all that money in a transition fund for once he's no longer under mom and dad's thumb. That is what I would recommend!

Again - I think it's great that you're being supportive and helping him. Everyone should be so lucky to have someone who cares about them!