TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A transgender teacher received the National Excellent Teacher Award (師鐸獎) on Thursday (Sept. 26), inspiring all transgender educators by asserting that societal acceptance can enable their success.
Huang Ming-chen (黃明真) accepted the honor at Yangmingshan ChungShan Hall (陽明山中山樓), sharing the myriad challenges she faced as a transgender individual, including gaining family understanding and dealing with workplace pressures after coming out.
Huang, who serves at Concordia Middle School (協同高級中學) in Chiayi County, a Christian institution, faced significant pressure and feared for nearly three years that a teaching career might end. However, with support from gender equality units, students, and parents, Huang persevered.
Huang emphasized that many transgender teachers still hide their identities. She advised them to persist, focus on their teaching, and establish a firm footing.
Huang realized the mismatch between physical structure and gender identity as early as kindergarten.
Reflecting on plans, Huang expressed a desire to assist more diverse-gender teachers upon retirement if given the opportunity.