Pronouns. Such a current and divided issue amongst places like schools and workplaces that a mere Google search of the keyword “pronoun” yields over 2 billion results. 

A topic so involved in our everyday lives that a group of GRHS students began a petition on change.org for the option for students and administrators to add pronouns to Schoology, a learning platform used by millions. 

“Schoology, owned by PowerSchool, should have a function that allows students and teachers to input their personal pronouns and display them if desired. This would especially improve the welfare of transgender and non-binary users” the petition states.

So what are personal pronouns? 

The Oxford Languages dictionary states them as “each of the pronouns in English ( I, you, he, she, it, we, they, me, him, her, us, and them ) comprising a set that shows contrasts of person, gender, number, and case”.

Many transgender and non-binary people use pronouns that don’t conform with societal norms and don’t fit their biological sex. Instead, their preferred pronouns fit how they identify, which is called gender identity. 

Why do pronouns need to be on Schoology?

It is important to respect and use the correct pronouns to help people feel safe and accepted no matter what. 

The founder of the petition, Luca Pappalardo (he/them) says: 

“Normalizing sharing our pronouns is a simple step we can all take towards creating a more inclusive environment. By including a pronouns function, the program would allow millions of students and educators to share their pronouns with the people they interact with on the daily.”

Additionally, many other people agree that a Schoology pronoun function would be much more convenient than merely volunteering that information:

“I’ve been using different pronouns recently. I’ve noticed it’s a lot easier for me to share this with people when pronouns are asked for, such as on a form/application.”

“My pronouns are they/them and it was great being able to put that on Zoom. Now that my school’s in-person, I can’t exactly do that. This will be a great next step!!”

What’s been going on?

In the beginning of November the petition had just hit 500 signatures. Now, Mar. 16, 2022, the petition has 9,591 supporters. 

On Nov. 14, 2021, the petition blew up overnight, amassing over 6,000 signatures in a couple days, quickly reaching 7,500 in a few weeks.

On February 19 at 9,000 signatures, Luca Pappalardo shared an update with the petition’s supporters, listing instructions for signers to send feature ideas to the Schoology Support website in hopes of reaching the Schoology team: “Hey everyone! We’re still trying to show Schoology that there’s a lot of support for a pronouns feature. Please, if you have five minutes, just follow these simple directions.”

We have seen pronouns being included on large internet platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter; We hope Schoology joins them soon!

So where can I find this petition? 

To find this petition online, simply go to change.org and search: “Students and teachers should be able to display their pronouns on Schoology” 

Many supporters and non-supporters alike shared their opinions on the petition and the sharing of pronouns

Carlotta Dave (they/them):“As a nonbinary person myself, I felt this needed to be done to allow transgender and nonbinary students to feel seen and be comfortable expressing their identities in an academic environment. School is already stressful enough without having to deal with concerns about expressing yourself and being accepted, especially in a space where we spend much of our time.”

Mason Cavagnuolo (he/him):“Respecting what people are and want to be referred to as is important! it’s all really about having basic respect for one another. when we refer to someone with the wrong pronoun, it can make them feel invalidated and disrespected. for some people, pronouns are one of the ways they will portray their identities.”

Dani Erani (he/they): “As a student who uses different pronouns than mine assigned at birth, I feel that incorporating pronouns in schoology would be an easy and effective way to prevent misgendering. Generally, I go throughout the day worried about hearing my teachers misgender me, ruining an already busy day.”

Luca Pappalardo (he/them): “In my experience, not many teachers ask their students about pronouns in the beginning of the school year. I find the idea of having to individually share your pronouns with each teacher quite daunting. However, if learning platforms like Schoology had a function for individuals to include their pronouns, it would take a lot of pressure off of trans and nonbinary students and educators.”

Ms. Bawa: “I signed the petition because I feel that if any of my students are passionate about having pronouns shown on Schoology, then they should be afforded that right. It is important for people to be recognized as who they are, and it is important to minimize identifying people in ways that make them uncomfortable.”

Frank Ulmer: “I think this is very important and super helpful to students. My 13 year old daughter uses schoology daily and her friends are all in full support. Hope you crazy kids can get this done. Even in my 47 years of life, I never would have imagined this being possible. Good luck.”

Anonymous: “Affirming a student’s pronouns in such a basic manner is the responsibility of the educational system. This simple step is statistically proven to improve students’ mental health and reduce the amount of harm and suicide. It is the responsibility of administrators and educators to care for their students, and this simple change would go a very long way towards that goal.”

Anonymous: “..it’s more inclusive to students who are maybe in the closet about their pronouns and gives them more courage and makes them feel welcome to come out.”

Anonymous: “No, I did not sign. I did not sign, not because I don’t care about the girth of the petition, but I didn’t really care or was passionate enough to. I am fervently for pronouns and one being able to express their pronouns willingly.”

Anonymous: “It’s important we make sure this can happen in places students should feel safe.”

Anonymous: “I think it’s very important so that people of all identities feel respected.”

Anonymous: “I feel if we could actively show in our everyday programs support for queer people, there would generally be less hatred, and maybe people would feel safer. Being around people in my classes who openly talk about committing violent acts against trans people, for the sake of them being trans, makes me feel indefinitely unsafe.”

Anonymous: “This needs to be done. almost all of my friends get misgendered and called their deadnames a lot. Our voices need to be heard!”

Anonymous: “I’m a teacher that works with Schoology frequently, it’s a good platform that would be better if it displayed our correct pronouns.”