McNary High School principal makes surprise announcement on teacher's gender transition

An Oregon high school principal sent a surprising message to parents about a teacher's gender transition. 

Scott Gragg, the principal of McNary High School in Keizer, recently shared a message from Diesel Technology teacher Tristan Thiel, who announced that she transitioned over the summer and asked the public to accept her new identity.

'I'm confident that our McNary family will do an amazing job of supporting her in this journey,' Gragg wrote in the notice to parents and students, obtained by the popular Libs of TikTok X account.

'Thank you in advance for your care and support of Tristan.' 

Gragg, a former NFL player, went on to share Thiel's email she sent to her own students, in which she says she is 'happy to announce that I have decided to transition my gender identity from male to female.'  

McNary High School Diesel Technology teacher Tristan Thiel announced that she transitioned over the summer and asked the public to accept her new identity

She asked parents or guardians who have concerns to send them to the school's administration 

'This letter is meant to inform students, their parents and guardians that I have decided to return to school identifying as my authentic self, the woman (she, her, miss) I truly am,' Thiel wrote in the letter shared on social media.

She noted that 'transitioning is a deeply personal journey for all and I ask for your understanding and respect during this time of change.

'For students, I want you to know that I am still the same teacher who is dedicated to your growth, learning and well-being. My passion for education and my commitment to helping you succeed remain unchanged,' Thiel said.

'I am here to support you and ensure that you feel safe and valued in our classroom.'

She then went on to thank the parents and guardians for their 'continued support of your child's education.

'I understand you may have questions or concerns, please direct them to the McNary Admin team, and we will do our best to address them.'

Scott Gragg, the principal of McNary High School, shared the news to the public

Thiel also insisted her 'intent is to not push my views or personal ideas onto others, but to share my passion for Diesel Technology with my students, here at McNary.'

She added: 'Your understanding and support mean the world to me, and I am committed to working with the school district to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.'

But many online viewers who saw the email correspondence users were stunned by Thiel's announcement, and the principal's support.

'Only in Oregon,' one mother wrote. 

Podcaster Gideon 6ix also claimed 'there is nothing "authentic" about what this person is doing. It's sad.

'It's ridiculous that this person is trying to force others to play pretend.'

William Ward also wrote on Facebook that Thiel is holding 'children's abilities to learn a trade hostage dependent on the stipulation that they are forced [to] accept your mental instability or get suspended/expelled from school if they don't.

'You know any child that doesn't accept it [will] be threatened with some form of punishment for misgendering or dead-naming a mentally ill person,' he claimed.

Many on X were appalled by Thiel's announcement, and the principal's support

Others, meanwhile, suggested Thiel's transition is emblematic of the Oregon school system.

'I pulled my kid from Oregon public schools,' an X user wrote. 'Highly recommend. They're weird.'

Another claimed that the 'public school system in Oregon is a lost cause.

'The Oregon Department of Education is [run] by a bunch of radical progressives,' she wrote, suggesting that parents instead 'homeschool your kids or find a good private school.'

Still, there were some who supported the message.

'I'm so glad that district supports its teachers,' one woman commented on the Libs of TikTok post. 

Under Oregon law, gender-affirming care is restricted to those 15 and older. 

DailyMail.com has reached out to McNary High School and Salem-Keizer Public Schools for comment.