Maryland

Transgender Teacher Cites Discrimination in Prince George's County

A transgender English teacher says she was repeatedly harassed by students, parents and colleagues at three different schools in Prince George's County, Maryland. When she complained, she says school officials retaliated.

Attorneys for Jennifer Eller told The Washington Post that the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined her claims had merit.

The 41-year-old's complaint says she was called a pedophile, told to present as male, referred to by male pronouns and threatened with rape by a student, among other offenses. At one school, an administrator referred to her as "sir" or mister," the suit says. And the district took three years to change the name on Eller's email address, meaning her transgender status was revealed to anyone who emailed her.

Eller said that after filing formal complaints, she lost her Advanced Placement classes and was brought to a disciplinary hearing.

She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

School officials would not comment on the specific case, but spokeswoman Raven Hill said they follow state guidance on youth gender identity nondiscrimination.

Eller — who worked at Kenmoor Middle School in Landover, Friendly High School in Fort Washington and James Madison Middle School in Upper Marlboro — said she wants to make a broader difference in the district.

Local

Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information

GMU cricket stadium proposal scrapped

Nationals place Stephen Strasburg on 60-day injured list

"What I want to see is an education system where all people are valued," she told the Post.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us