Paré raises questions about professional standards in NC public schools

Rep. Erin Paré says parent concerns over a transgender elementary teacher highlight the need for professional standards and an age-appropriate school environment.

State Rep. Erin Paré, R-Wake, says she has raised concerns with Wake County Public School System leadership after receiving complaints from parents and teachers about a transgender music teacher at a southern Wake County elementary school.

In a series of social media posts this week, Paré said her office has received emails and phone calls regarding the biological male who dresses as a woman and teaches music.

“I have brought your concerns to the attention of the Wake County Public School System leadership,” Paré wrote.

Paré said she has no issues with how adults choose to live outside of work but argued that schools have a responsibility to shield young children from discussions surrounding gender identity.

“I don’t care how adults choose to live outside of the professional work day,” she wrote. “But I will ALWAYS protect our children.”

Paré also said she is considering introducing legislation that would require sex-based professional attire for public school employees, arguing that Wake County schools do not appear to have a policy addressing the issue.

“May be time to introduce a bill requiring gender-appropriate professional attire for public school employees, as WCPSS does not have a policy addressing this issue — as far as I can tell,” Paré wrote.

Speaking with the Carolina Journal, Paré said public school employee standards should priotize maintaining an age-appropriate environment for young students.

“It is important that public school employee standards prioritize the protection of children from being exposed to more complex and mature gender-identity questions and concepts at too young of an age,” Paré said.

Paré also told Carolina Journal that she believes schools can respect employees while addressing parents’ concerns about what children are exposed to in elementary school.

“Every employee deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and at the same time parents need to be able to send their children to elementary school feeling assured that their 5-11 year old isn’t being exposed to confusing age-inappropriate topics they aren’t ready for yet,” she said.

Paré’s comments come just weeks after the General Assembly overrode Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of SB 227, legislation eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in North Carolina’s public schools. The new law places limits on DEI offices, training, and certain instructional practices in K-12 schools, reflecting a broader push by Republican lawmakers to refocus public education policy.

Paré also shared a screenshot of a social media message she said she received from an unnamed individual that read, “I hope you end up kirked,” a likely reference to the late 2025 assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.