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Here are some tips that can start supporting educators to find a starting point to the development of equity & inclusion guidelines for safe and positive spaces. Ensuring a welcoming environment is essential to holistic approaches to education. We do this by supporting a student’s sense of belonging, when we support a student’s sense of belonging - we allow for learners to develop their self-efficacy in their academic capacities (Chappell et al., 2018; Greene, 2018; Haghiri-Vijeh et al., 2020; Ontario, 2014; Miller et al., 2014; Wolowic, 2014).
We have developed 5 tips on creating a positive and welcoming learning environment.
This list is not extensive in nature and we encourage that if you have any suggestions for this list or content – please feel free to submit a response ...
1
Creating Classroom Discussion Guidelines in Collaboration with Students
At the beginning of the semester, please feel free to create classroom guidelines with your students. Things to consider is how you will open the conversation to invite and empower students to feel that they are able to voice their thoughts and suggestions to the guidelines. As the educator, setting expectation can support this, expectations may include:
Commitment to positive and safer spaces towards equity & inclusion
Being ready to learn, unlearn and relearn new concepts and lessons
Calling-in/Calling-out behaviour or statements which do not align with classroom guidelines. Plan for prevention and intervention when there is concerning, or unacceptable behaviour related to discrimination, bias and oppression.
Respectful collaboration in team settings
Defining Allyship within the classroom
Please feel free to click below to learn more about what Allyship can look like for educators within role modeling capacities...
(Chappell et al., 2018; Greene, 2018; Haghiri-Vijeh et al., 2020; Ontario, 2014; Miller et al., 2014; Wolowic, 2014)
2
Displaying 2SLGBTQ+ Educational Posters & Pride Flag in the Classroom
According to a study by Wolowic et al. (2017), research shows that students felt more comfortable within a classroom community when they saw a poster outlining how their class as a safer and positive space.
A participant explained, “It’s okay to be yourself. It’s comfortable here. You can be comfortable here. You don’t have to worry about people being judging" (Wolowic et al., 2017).
You may want to display educational posters and infographics for students to start learning about concepts and language related to gender and sexual diversity. An example could be the “Gender Unicorn” by Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER, 2021).
3
Displaying and Incorporating 2SLGBTQ+ Literacy and Resources in the Curriculum and in the Classroom
You may want to connect students to online resources or opportunities for self-education. An example could be the following Instagram accounts:
4
Community Partnerships & Guest Speakers
Inviting guest speakers and taking a community partnership approach to education. There are many experts within the field of social justice and equity. Connecting with administrators to see about the possibility of inviting a guest speaker who is a self-identified advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ education for students can be a great opportunity for learning. Both for teachers, students and community members (Chappell et al., 2018; Wolowic et al., 2017).
5
Empowering Student Leadership & Voices
Empowering student leadership and voices within your classroom can support the creation of spaces which acknowledges solidarity and community development.
Many grass-root activism and student voices must be supported by administrators, educators and learners.
(Chappell et al., 2018; Wolowic et al., 2017)
References:
Chappell, S. V., Ketchum, K. E., & Richardson, L. (2018). Gender Diversity and LGBTQ Inclusion in K-12 Schools: A Guide to Supporting Students, Changing Lives (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315172293
Haghiri-Vijeh, McCulloch, T., Atack, L., & Bedard, G. (2020). The Impact of Positive Space Training on Students’ Communication With LGBTTQ+ Communities. Nursing Education Perspectives, 41(2), 115–116. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000474
GLSEN. (n.d.). GLSEN. Glsen (@glsen). Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.instagram.com/glsen/?hl=en
Greene, B. A. (2018). Self-Efficacy and Future Goals in Education (First edition.). London: Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315523019
Miller, J. P., Irwin, M., & Nigh, K. (2014). Teaching from the thinking heart : the practice of holistic education (J. P. Miller, M. Irwin, & K. Nigh, Eds.). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.
Ontario. (2014). Equity and Inclusive Education in Ontario schools. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www2.yrdsb.ca/sites/default/files/migrate/files/inclusiveguide.pdf
TransFormed Project. (2020). Glossary of Terms. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.metrac.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/11-24_TransFormed_Glossary.pdf
QEDU. (n.d.). Qedu: Queer education (@qeduofficial) . QEDU | Queer Education (@qeduofficial) . Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.instagram.com/qeduofficial/?hl=en
Wolowic, Heston, L. V., Saewyc, E. M., Porta, C., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2017). Chasing the rainbow: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth and pride semiotics. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 19(5), 557–571. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2016.1251613
TSER. (2021). Gender Unicorn. Trans Student Educational Resources. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://transstudent.org/gender/
Image & Video References:
Freepik. (2021, August 8). Free vector: Hand drawn flat people talking. Freepik. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-flat-people-talking_16933989.htm
GLSEN. (n.d.). GLSEN. Glsen (@glsen) • instagram photos and videos. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.instagram.com/glsen/?hl=en
GVASIMODO. (2021, June 8). Should summer reading be mandatory? Time for Kids. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.timeforkids.com/g56/summer-reading-debate/
LGBT youthline . (n.d.). LGBT youthline. LGBT youthline (@lgbtyouthline) . Retrieved August 12, 2022, from https://www.instagram.com/lgbtyouthline/?hl=en
Pavel, K. (2020). Pretty girl or young woman cartoon character relaxing and reading.iStock. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/girl-or-young-woman-relaxing-and-reading-book-at-home-flat-vector-illustration-gm1255353333-367221410
QEDU. (n.d.). Qedu: Queer education (@qeduofficial) . QEDU | Queer Education (@qeduofficial) . Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.instagram.com/qeduofficial/?hl=en
TEDtalksDirector. (2015, December 4). This is what LGBT life is like around the world | Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols | Ted Talks. YouTube. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivfJJh9y1UI&t=3s&ab_channel=TED
TSER. (2021). Gender Unicorn. Trans Student Educational Resources. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://transstudent.org/gender/
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