Print this article A superintendent in Washington state defended a first grade teacher’s decision to read her class a book about transgender children. Greg Baker, the superintendent of Bellingham School District, said the teacher’s choice to read I Am Jazz to her class was in line with the district's values. His statement on Thursday cited “hate speech and harassment” that began with "attention" given to the reading of the library book and "the private business owned by one of our school board members." “Reading diverse books and learning about all kinds of lives is consistent with our values in our strategic plan, The Bellingham Promise,” Baker said. “We believe all children should be loved, and we believe diversity enhances a strong and healthy community.”