3 Ways to Make Schools Safe for LGBTQ Students – Podcast Episode 189 | Classnotes Podcast 189

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Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.Classnotes Podcast (January 15, 2019). Most parents and caregivers would agree that all students should be provided with the same opportunity to learn, grow and succeed at school. As adults and leaders in our communities, we can work together with our classroom teachers and school administrators to ensure our students can learn free from fear and are protected from discrimination, harassment and bullying. 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 parents can work with their schools to support LGBTQ students and their safety along the way. The IDRA EAC-South provides technical assistance and training to build capacity of local educators to serve their diverse student populations.

Show length: 12:11 min.

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Resources

Slides: Top 10 Ways to Make Schools Safer for LGBTQ Students, presented at the Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute, 2018

PFLAG Website: Top 10 Ways to Make Schools Safer for LGBTQ Students

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

  • Michelle recaps the session she led at the 2018 Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute, "Top 10 Ways to Make Schools Safer for LGTBQ Students,” and talks about the importance of providing fair, equitable, and excellent education for all students.

  • Michelle identifies the 10 ways that teachers and parents can protect and advocate for their LGBTQ students:
    1. Learn the Facts
    2. Use Your Words
    3. Stop Bad Behavior
    4. Set the Policy
    5. Get Involved
    6. Build Healthy Relationships
    7. Encourage Positive Mental Health
    8. College & Career (Be Future Ready)
    9. Get Access to Support and Resources
    10. Support Inclusion

  • Michelle expands on three of these 10 areas: parent involvement, positive mental health, and college & career readiness.

  • Michelle and Aurelio discuss the importance of creating a safe campus culture, where LGBTQ students can be free from bullying and harassment, as well as a school discipline plan that can positively transform a bully from an antagonist into a partner or friend.

  • Michelle explains the importance of educating students on inclusiveness and tolerance.

  • Aurelio asks Michelle how being the parent of a gay student (who is now an adult), has influenced her work as an educator.