Program: Office of School Improvement - CTLE Approved Sponsor
Audience: Classroom teachers, School leaders, GSA Advisors, School Counselors, Social Workers, School Psychologists, School Nurses
Dates: 10/23/2024
New Have you ever wished you had a safe, non-judgmental space to ask questions about LGBTQIA+ individuals and identity? Are you confused by the differences between sex, gender expression, gender identity and orientation? Have you ever wondered what the letters in the LGBTQIA+ initialism mean? Would you like strategies for creating more welcoming and affirming learning spaces for LGBTQIA+ students, colleagues, and families? This professional learning opportunity provides the tools you need! While progress is slowly being made to create more welcoming and affirming learning spaces there is still much to be done. For LGBTQIA+ students, colleagues, and families the school environment can pose numerous threats and obstacles. Below are some eye-opening statistics from GLSEN's (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) 2021 New York State School Climate Report: 90% of LGBTQIA+ students heard anti-LGBTQIA+ remarks/slurs; only 25% of LGBTQIA+ students were taught positive representations of LGBTQIA+ people, history or events; 53% of LGBTQIA+ students heard staff make homophobic remarks and 69% heard negative remarks about someone's gender expression from staff.
Anti-LGBTQIA discrimination means that LGBTQIA+ students miss more school, have lower GPAs, and lower self-esteem. This dynamic, interactive professional learning session focuses on building your ally skills, developing welcoming and affirming learning spaces through the use of inclusive and respectful language, terminology, pronouns and discourse, assessing the physical environment for inclusivity, creating inclusive learning opportunities, and knowing where to go for resources and support.
Attending this workshop is a proactive step towards creating welcoming and affirming learning spaces. Program participants will receive a Safe Zone sticker and course materials.