Trans student reveals how teacher 'really saved' them by helping them get out of toxic relationship

Relationships can be hard. They take up some time and effort but are worth it if you have a loving partner. However, now everyone is lucky to have the luxury of being in a relationship with someone who adores and supports them. In such situations, people should get out of the relationship, either by realizing what needs to be done or by the support of family and friends. But in u/throwaway280569's case, their teacher helped and encouraged them to end an "abusive relationship" and also adjust to school life as a trans student. 

The Reddit user begins the post by stating that they used to be in an "abusive relationship" with their now ex-girlfriend. While in the class, they were talking about their relationship with their friend on the school laptop through text.  However, they did not realize at the time that teachers had access to their messages. The messages detailed how their ex-girlfriend abused them. On top of the abusive nature of the relationship, the girl denied everything after things ended between them. The teacher who read the messages was a very reserved man. They write, "My teacher NEVER goes on rants (always straight to teaching) and leaves his own life out of everything and never asks students about their personal lives." The man valued his and others' privacy.

The friend with whom the trans student was chatting did not take their confessions seriously and provided dumb responses. Nevertheless, in the following class, their teacher took a different approach. He said in the class, "I never go on rants, but I have been reading people's emails and I think this will benefit the person and anyone in here." It was at this moment the student realized that the teacher had read their messages.

Initially, they thought the teacher would be annoyed when receiving messages during work, but that was not the case. He continued saying, "I have no clue if this will help, but if anyone is in an abusive relationship, whether it is physical or mental, please try getting out of it." He then stated that none of his students deserved to be in abusive relationships.

The teacher spoke for 45 minutes on the topic and indirectly criticized their friend, who showed no empathy to them during chat. After he concluded, nobody knew who he was talking about, but many appreciated his gesture. They write, "Some laughed, but that isn't a shocker because of where I live." After all this, the student was also outed by one of their teachers and sister.

Other teachers ignored it and continued to "deadname" them, which was the incorrect way to address them, as the student is trans. At the same time, others called them the correct name but never bothered to check if they were okay with it. The aforementioned teacher got to know about everything and never referred to them incorrectly. Instead, he asked the student to stay back after class and asked what they preferred.

He did not want to expose them more. So, the student stated that he could use their correct name. They write, "He said he will try to remember and not call me the wrong name." The student also briefly mentioned that, at that point, they were fine with either, but the teacher remembered and never made a scene about it. All of these considerations on his side led to the student having "huge respect" for their teacher.

They express gratitude towards the teacher, who helped them from their mental health getting worse. The student said they felt a "bit safer" at the school because of his presence. They share, "He really has no idea how he saved me mentally and physically." The man never outed him to anybody else and continued to call them by their correct name while avoiding pronouns.

The student concludes the post by saying that he was their favorite teacher and expressed hope at being able to tell him how much he helped them. They say, "He really has saved me and I want to help people like that or make some difference. That is all."