Watch CBS News

Chino High School Teacher Who Learned As An Adult That She's Genetically Female Goes Public

CHINO (CBSLA.com) — Students at Chino High School returned to school this week to find that their chemistry teacher looked very different and had a new name: Amanda Swager.

"It's just relaxing to be able to wake up in the morning and just be me," Swager told KCAL9's Crystal Cruz.

As Cruz reports, Swager grew up as a boy, Michael, but always knew there was something feminine about her. As an adult, she learned that she was actually genetically female and began transitioning.

"I look at myself in the mirror and I go, 'I see a female body,' " she said.

Two years ago, Swager, 32, notified district leaders and planned on returning to school a woman after this summer.

But after being outed recently, she went public.

"I was in a movie theater with my boyfriend, and some students walk in and start shooting pictures of me in a movie theater," she said.

Cruz reports that the school has updated its web page with Amanda's photo and notified students and parents last week.

Even though Swager is happier than ever, she's heard some parents are concerned.

"The big uproar was all about, 'You didn't notify us way ahead of time so we can talk to our kids' and I said, 'What's there to notify you about? If I was pregnant and had a miscarriage, I wouldn't notify you that I had a miscarriage. It's a personal issue,' " she said.

Sisters Jaylyn and Madison are OK with the teacher's transition.

"If it's what she wants to do, I mean, I'm not going to judge. It's what she wants to make her happy," Madison said. Swager said she is focused on doing her best job in classroom and is armed with and education to do so.

"I have a chemistry major, physics major and music performance major," she said.

Meanwhile, Chino Valley Unified School District issued the following statement:

"Chino High School is aware of the teacher's decision. It is a personal and private matter for the teacher. Therefore, the school and/or district cannot comment further. Student learning continues to be our top priority and classroom instruction will continue as normal."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.