Just recently I found out some devastating news. My elementary art teacher, Stacy Bailey, has been on investigative leave since September. You’re probably thinking, “What’s the big deal? You’re not even in elementary school anymore, why do you care?”

Well here’s the thing. My old art teacher is a proud member of the LGBTQ community, and she just so happens to be a kick-butt art teacher. Yet, Mansfield ISD has suspended her due to the request of adding in “sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression” into the school systems anti-discriminatory statement. It’s been many years, but I’ve never forgotten the outgoing Ms. Bailey. I wasn’t necessarily a talented artist, but in Ms. Bailey’s class, you didn’t have to be. She impacted me more than she could ever know, and now because of this, her ability to inspire her students was unlawfully taken away.

Walking into Ms. Bailey’s art class was like walking into a safe zone. Her room screamed, “Kid friendly.” We’d walk into her room, art supplies set up, Michael Jackson or ABBA blaring on the stereo, and a giant smile on her face. She was excited to see us, and we were excited to see her.

She encouraged every kid in class to be an artist, and she educated us about the beauty of art, something I will be forever grateful for. Whether it was Andy Warhol, Rene Magritte, Picasso, or Monet; she taught us how to stare past the art’s outward appearance and into its soul. Even now I can contribute my love of art museums and art to this wonderful lady.

Ms. Bailey started working at CAE, Charlotte Anderson Elementary, during my elementary years. I’m now a senior in high school, and she’s worked there ever since. Ms. Bailey, much like Charlotte Anderson, brought hope to an already failing world. She encouraged us to be the best version of ourselves. She really was the best.

Even after leaving CAE and moving across the state, I kept up with the adventures of Ms. Bailey. Her teaching only got better over the years (which says a lot because she was exceptional when I had her). This is when I learned Ms. Bailey was a proud member of the LGBTQ community, although it wasn’t surprising. Little does she know, but I’ve looked up to her for some time now. Many of my past teachers from Charlotte Anderson are loving, accepting, strong women. They march for women’s rights, or they march for LGBTQ rights. They encourage and live out love is love.

My teachers from CAE and Ms. Bailey are the reason I am the strong, independent, and accepting feminist I am today. Without their awesomeness, I wouldn’t have mine. It’s a travesty that it is 2018 and something like this is still happening, which is why I chose to reminisce publicly on Odyssey. The school board chooses to ignore what they’re doing to a wonderful teacher, and they’re depriving students of a wonderful inspiration because they cannot see with eyes and believe love is love.