I am a male, certified Teachers Assistant at a developmently disabled preschool on Long Island. Recently, one of the mothers of the children we teach has raised concern and her uncomfortableness with having a male working within her daughters classroom. It is understood that Mom has had a traumatic past that has been discussed with the social worker, but her daughter has never expressed any unease or trepidation being around myself or the rest of the team I work with, 3 other women. After several long conversations between the family and the school it was suddenly determined yesterday that I was to be moved to a different classroom, at the risk of Mom escalating to call CPS as the next step to drive to get the school to do as she asks. The principal explained that the process of an investigation, even an unfounded one, is something she's seem happen before and wouldn't want me to go though it. After I've had some time to think about my situation, I feel as if I am being discriminated against for a bias Mom has, as unfortunate as the root may be. It feels like a mistake to take me away from a team I've worked so hard to make the classroom run so smooth, and even moreso the other 9 kids I have to leave for again, no reason whatsoever. I am a well appreciated, hard working TA that all of my colleagues know I go the extra mile for people. I don't want to leave this job, but I can't keep going on like this if they aren't going to have my back at all. It makes me terrified to continue on the ECE path and like I'm just collateral. I'm hoping to make a point for my placement back into the room tomorrow, any discrimination against race or religion from the parents would be handled immediately, so I can't help but feel like less than a person if I can't be protected behind a basic right. Please give me any and all thought, all appreciated.