Why you Should Add your Pronouns to Zoom Today

Hello, my name is Brendan and I use the pronouns he, him, his.  

Pronouns are one of many ways we identify ourselves and others. This simple practice of offering your pronouns, asking others for theirs, and respecting everyone’s identity is a simple and effective way to create a safe and inclusive classroom community, especially as a leader to your students.  

The Center for Inclusion and Social Change at the University of Colorado states, “Pronouns are one of the ways we portray our identities. When someone asks you to use their pronouns, they are asking for you to respect their identity.”  Additionally, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) Resource Center at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee reminds us, “You can’t always know what someone’s pronouns are by looking at them. Asking and correctly using someone’s pronouns is one of the most basic ways to show your respect for their gender identity.”

One of the wonderful perks of teaching via Zoom is that all users can share their pronouns before any official introductions take place!  Zoom now has the ability to to easily add your pronouns right into your profile, and, thus, displaying it in all of your Zoom meetings and classes.  If your Zoom account does not have an option on the profile page for pronouns, you can always add them to your name through the rename tool.

What a better way to help create a sense of belonging than by leading by example.  This simple act, even if it is not verbalized, is a strong signifier to your students that your classroom is a safe and accepting place for all.  As we know through a wealth of research, creating a more equitable and engaged classroom greatly helps to bolster student outcomes.  

Will you add your pronouns to your Zoom profile?

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