Trafalgar High School, part of the Halton District School Board (HDSB), in Oakville, Ontario, is standing behind a biological male teacher’s decision to transition to identifying as a female..The Toronto Sun reports pre-transitioning, the teacher was known to students and faculty as a male and went by a man’s name. .The manufacturing technology instructor began identifying as a woman last year and now goes by the name Kayla Lemieux, reports Reduxx, a newly-launched online news source. .Reduxx reached out to school administrators, who confirmed Lemieux is currently employed at the school, but refused any further questions.. Kayla LemieuxKayla Lemieux .HDSB chair Margo Shuttleworth said the district will protect the gender rights of employees, adding it’s "the stance the school board is taking and they are standing behind the teacher.".Twitter erupted with comments, photos and a video of Lemieux on the weekend, wearing black shorts and a blacked-striped shirt, stretched to its limit by ‘outsized’ prosthetic breasts, in the classroom, teaching high school students how to use a circular saw..HDSB has a dress code and to which it appears Lemieux is adhering..The code says its intended purpose is “To promote a positive learning environment in school is consistent with the values of the Halton District School Board and to ensure a safe and inclusive learning and working environment for all students, staff and the community, regardless of their race, age, ability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, socio-economic circumstances, or body type/size.”."This teacher is an extremely effective teacher,” says Shuttleworth. “All the kids really love being in the class.".Perhaps not all the kids..One Twitter user posted this: “The kids here definitely don’t think it’s normal, but realistically we can’t say anything. Last year the teacher was a man and I don’t think the school can fire him.”.Other reactions on Twitter included:.“I've seen him for real at a street corner, and couldn't believe it. Eek.”.“To all the folks talking about the ‘safety issues’ of the teacher’s chest size - tell me, what is the size that is appropriate? And does it also apply to bellies?".“Imho, they can wear whatever they want to teach. But my question is, are those safety glasses she is wearing? It’s woodworking and you need proper safety glasses.”.“Not the way I would dress, however I don’t see a seasoned pro working the saw. Not sure how to start it, unsure movements, hand passes below the blade after the cut, hair should be tied back, seems very unsure. Respect tools that can hurt you.”. Kayla LemieuxKayla Lemieux .The school has already received phone calls about the teacher that "haven’t been the most pleasant in nature," says Shuttleworth, adding the school board is concerned there will be backlash against the transgender teacher when classes resume and the staff is contemplating "going through creating a safety plan" to ensure the teacher is safe..“There will the protesters and the anti-protesters,” says Shuttleworth..The Halton District School Board has a specific policy on gender identity and gender expressions in school:.“The HDSB is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe, caring, inclusive, equitable and welcoming learning and working environment for all members of the school community including students, staff, parents/guardians and community members who identify as, or are perceived as Two-Spirit, Queer, trans*1 , Non-Binary, Intersex, and those who are questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity(ies).”. Kayla LemieuxKayla Lemieux
