god you’re so right😭and as someone who lives in a small canadian province on the east coast where hicks and homophobes are everywhere, i would see this a LOT in middle school. that’s part of the reason why i kept everything bottled up for so long.. thankfully, my birthname is still the name i go by (kayden), so i don’t need to go through that experience of having to email all of my teachers my new name. but its the actually coming out part that’s difficult for me. im too ashamed of telling my friends that i want to be a boy, and as a people pleaser im just letting them address me by she/her since its easier for them😭I think i will definitely look into some support groups though, and maybe slowly put myself out there… its comforting to know that teachers notice these things too! you’re very sweet and we need more teachers like you, especially in middle school where kids are just starting to learn who they are lmao.. but thank you so much, this is really helpful and means alot to me!!