Last year, I had multiple students who identified as part of the LGBTQIA+ community tell me that they felt safe in my classroom because of steps I took to make sure their community was recognized and respected. In previous years at my former school, it was my great honor to serve as advisor for our GSA club and be a strong advocate for my students. At whatever level of knowledge and capacity you find yourself today, there are simple steps we can take to make our classrooms safe spaces. Here are some things I’ve done to support my LGBTQIA+ students. Let me know in the comments what’s worked well for you!
As we take some first steps or refine steps we’ve already been taking, we also remember that standing up as an ally or accomplice is a journey of lifelong learning. We can always continue to grow in our understanding of others. Below are some additional resources to explore and deepen your awareness of issues and situations that affect our LGBTQIA+ community members, particularly our students and youth. inclusive teaching - supporting all students - supporting LGBTQIA+ students - pride in the classroom - social justice education - social justice teacher - safe space - pronouns
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This new school year brings an exciting opportunity for Minarets Spanish Students and our place in the global education community!
Last year, our Spanish Club, Los Mustangs Morados, gathered a small donation for hurricane relief for Puerto Rico. As part of my honeymoon this summer, I traveled to Puerto Rico and hoped to make a connection with a school there in order to begin exchanging pen pal letters and open the door for video chats later in the school year. Students created beautiful cards for the students in this school and I set off. I reached out to various contacts, friends and organizations but was unfortunately unable to make contact with a school before or during the trip. Do not fear, Instagram is here! During the trip, after sharing a few pictures from my travels and tagging them with a few select Puerto Rico hashtags, I was followed by a page called "Primos De Borinken", started by a photographer, Jeff Moran-Morales, who is documenting on the ground efforts to help individuals who are still struggling to recuperate after the devastating damage from last year's hurricanes. I sent the page a message, wondering if they had heard of any schools in need who might be a recipient of our donation and letters. After all of my failed attempts to find a school to connect with, I thought that an Instagram connection was surely a shot in the dark but sometimes the greatest connections come from the most unexpected mediums! In less than a week, Jeff had provided me with the name of school and the name and phone number for a teacher from the school! I quickly reached out to Gladys at Escuela San José Pagán de Jesús who shared her excitement in the possibility of creating a connection between our schools and told me more about her school. After the hurricane, many community members used the school's yard as a place to sleep and stay. Buildings, computers and other property was damaged by the powerful wind and water but the school stayed strong. Stray and displaced cats and dogs are now a part of the school community and are being taken care of by staff and students and as the lights come back on across the country, hearts are reignited. My heart has certainly been ignited as I hear Gladys' enthusiasm when she tells me her administrator has given them approval to use the library for a video chat and I can't wait for our students to meet! Stay tuned for updates and pictures as we start this global adventure and please share with me if you know of schools in Puerto Rico or other Spanish-speaking countries who we can connect with! |
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