Teacher Responsibilities in Supporting LGBTQ Students

Teacher Responsibilities in Supporting LGBTQ Students – Podcast Episode 184 | Classnotes Podcast 184

Classnotes Podcast (August 16, 2018). Schools must be safe places for all children. LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning) students face particular challenges in our classrooms 85 percent report facing verbal harassment, more than one in four are physically harassed at school, and half are threatened by their classmates. Michelle Martínez Vega, IDRA technology coordinator, and Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., director of IDRA’s Texas Education CAFE Network project funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, discuss how teachers are pivotal to supporting the intelligence and uniqueness of each student while clearly blocking and deterring harm. They outline specific classroom actions and resources for educators. The IDRA EAC-South provides technical assistance and training to build capacity of local educators to serve their diverse student populations. Show length: 12:23 min.

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Resources

Equity and Justice for LGBTQ Students – Teacher Responsibilities, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., and Michelle Martínez Vega

Push Outs – Supporting LGBTQ Students Faced with Sexual & Gender Harassment, by Susan Shaffer and Phyllis Lerner

Examples of Policies and Emerging Practices for Supporting Transgender Students, U.S. Department of Education.

LGBTQ Issues in Education: Advancing a Research Agenda, by G. Wimberly, AERA

Title IX at 45: Advancing Opportunity through Equity Education, National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education

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Show Notes

Aurelio shares three specific actions teachers can take in the classroom to support LGBTQ students:
1. Interrupt any clear expression of bigotry
2. Identify and bring to light all the talents, strengths and potential in each student
3. Facilitate conversations and dialogues about student identification, respecting individual expressions

Aurelio talks about some of the complexities facing LGBTQ students.

Aurelio discusses the importance of professional learning communities, where teachers can connect with each other to discuss their students’ strengths.

Michelle asks Aurelio how teachers can overcome any personal prejudices and biases against homosexuality that hinder students' sense of safety and education access.

Aurelio explains the critical role that principals and other school administrators play in creating a campus culture that is supportive of all students.

Aurelio talks about the growing body of research that educators can tap into to learn more about best practices for supporting LGBTQ students.

Aurelio discusses options for parents who feel their children are being bullied or treated unfairly at school.

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