I believe it is my job, as an educator, to never stop learning. I need to examine my own privilege, acknowledge my own unconscious bias, and make a concerted effort to learn how to better serve my school community. A pillar of my philosophy as a physical educator is my commitment to justice especially as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Every single student deserves an equitable physical education experience that suits their unique needs as a student. It’s the role of the physical education teacher to make sure that their classrooms include all populations of students at all times. Additionally, I believe the only true assessment of a classroom’s inclusivity is by asking students if they feel included and represented within the classroom.
In my classroom, diversity is celebrated because we understand that our differences make us stronger.
I believe that there should be an explicit effort to foster an inclusive classroom culture where students feel welcome, represented, and safe to be themselves.
Co-presented "Helping Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students Thrive in Physical Education" with C. Langendorfer
(NYS AHPERD Annual Conference - November 2021)
(NYS AHPERD Central South Zone Conference - January 2022)
Guest Speaker for Binghamton High School Gender & Sexuality (GSA) Club
(Binghamton HS - March 2021)
Co-presented seminar on Transgender and Nonbinary Collegiate Participation in Sports Activities with Dr. N. Kane
(SUNY Cortland - November 2020)
"Creating a Culture of Care: Dismantling the Schoolyard to Prisonyard Pipeline"
Presented by Black Lives Matter at School & SUNY Cortland
February 2023
NYS AHPERD: Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Students and Athletes
Presented by Shauna Marie O’Toole & Jeremy Thode
April 2021