Teaching by example: fresh from an appearance on Nickelodeon, a Minnesota educator wants parents to know that gay teachers are nothing to be afraid of. (Behind the Headlines).

It was a choreographed coming-out scenario worthy of a politician. Mark French, 43, principal of Oak View Elementary School in Maple Grove, Minn., wasn't exactly closeted; the respected educator had come out to colleagues and lectured on the .subject of gay teachers. But when TV journalist and children's book author Linda Ellerbee invited French to appear with Rosie O'Donnell and others on a show about gay families on the kicks' cable network Nickelodeon, he took the next step: On May 31, French sent a letter to the parents of his 700 students, alerting them to the show, which aired June 18, and asking them to decide whether to discuss the topic with their children. While Nick News Special Edition: My Family Is Different whipped conservatives into a lather, French says that for most Maple Grove parents and students it was a nonissue.

How did you come to be invited to appear on the Nickelodeon special?

I met Linda Ellerbee in April 2001 at the National Association of Elementary School Principals in San Diego. She signed a copy of one of her children's books for me, and I struck up a conversation with her. I asked her if she'd ever thought about adding a gay character to her children's novels, and she said she was considering it. I gave her my name and phone number and invited her to contact me if I could help her out in any way.

When you became principal of Oak View four years ago, did you make your sexual identity known?

I was in the St. Paul, Minn., public schools for 12 years, and I was out in that school district. After I was hired [at Oak View], there was communication between teachers from both school districts. So they knew about me. But what preceded me was my reputation as a good educator.

Do you have a partner?

Yes, I've been with my partner, Bryan Hodges, for nine years. He's a business owner. He was concerned at first [about my doing the Nickelodeon special]; he was worried that it might affect my career negatively. But he's been extremely supportive and wonderful every step of the way.

Have you experienced any negative repercussions from writing the letter or appearing on the show?

Since writing to [the parents], the letters and messages of support from families both in my school district and around the country have been overwhelming. The majority of people, while they may have different views and values, still respect that I can be a good principal and a good role model for others while still being a gay man.

One parent did not agree. Lynn Sorbel told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "This isn't about homophobia. It's about a child's innocence; childhood is supposed to be about fireflies and laughter, and you lose that when you have to deal with something like this." Your response?

Actually, that's one of the milder things she had said. She made the comment that gays and lesbians are responsible for the decline of American society. I don't believe [my revelation] means the loss of innocence for our children. It opens up their minds and it opens up the opportunity to talk about topics such as discrimination, intolerance, acceptance, harassment and name-calling, and violent behavior against groups of people. Quoting Linda Ellerbee from the news program, a study shows that for children between 8 and 14, this is the perfect time for them to have discussions about these tough issues.

Will this national exposure shape your continuing work as an educator?

I offer myself as a role model, someone who can be openly gay and work in the schools and be successful. I have always believed that I can't count on other people to do the work for me. I have to be willing to take the steps to put myself out there and advance the cause for GLBT students, staff, and family members.