75. Gender Support Plans for LGBTQ+ Students and How to Implement them in Your School

Teaching While Queer: Advocacy For LGBTQ Folks In Schools & Education To Live & Work As Your Authentic Self

Ask A Queer Educator

Are you curious about how educators are breaking barriers to support queer students in today's schools?

In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative work being done by Tommy Martin-Edwards (they/them), a queer non-binary Spanish teacher, who’s using their personal experiences to shape a more inclusive educational environment. Tommy shares their journey from a closeted student in the deep South to a trailblazing educator in California, and how their unique perspective has informed their approach to teaching and advocacy.

Through our conversation you will:

• Gain practical strategies for making schools more inclusive, such as incorporating queer history into the curriculum and offering gender-affirming resources like binders and shapewear.
• Understand the significance of creating supportive environments for queer students, including implementing gender support plans to ease their transition and ensure their comfort.
• Recognize the importance of addressing anti-queer behavior with a restorative justice approach, emphasizing understanding and empathy rather than just punishment.

Tune in now to discover actionable insights that can help create a more welcoming school environment for all students.

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Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram at @TeachingWhileQueer.
You can find host, Bryan Stanton, on Instagram.
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The podcast explores the challenges and successes of LGBTQ representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.