41. Navigating the Educational Currents: Being LGBTQ A Educator in Today's Schools

Teaching While Queer: Advocacy For LGBTQ Folks In Schools & Education To Live & Work As Your Authentic Self

Ask A Queer Educator

Teaching While Queer, Season 2, Episode 22

Strap in for an intimate journey through the world of queer education with myself, Brian Stanton, and the exceptional Julio Carpio (he/they). Together, we navigate the nuanced path of teaching with pride amid today's societal complexities. Julio, a non-binary Latinx educator, shares their transformative shift from lecturing college students to inspiring seventh graders in Syracuse, revealing the sobering impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation on educators and students alike. Our conversation doesn't shy away from the stark realities—instead, it shines a light on the resilience demanded of queer teachers striving to remain true to themselves.
The art of boundary setting in education is no simple task, and I'm no stranger to the challenge. I open up about my personal strategies for self-preservation in the face of relentless teacher communication, a narrative familiar to many in our profession. From silencing notifications to stepping back from work emails, we reflect on the importance of these practices for our mental health. Julio and I also delve into painful experiences with anti-queer sentiment, reinforcing the urgency for inclusive and supportive school environments where every educator and student is valued.
Closing out our heartfelt discussion, we turn to the burgeoning world of teacher influencers, examining their impact on our community. I express my admiration for those who leverage their platforms for activism and sincere storytelling, transcending mere commercial interests. We underscore the significance of authenticity and vulnerability in forging meaningful connections among educators. Stay tuned for future episodes that promise to bring even more depth and insight with teacher influencers who are truly shaping the educational landscape.

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Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram at @TeachingWhileQueer.
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The podcast explores the challenges and successes of LGBTQ representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Luvut

1. 41. Navigating the Educational Currents: Being LGBTQ A Educator in Today's Schools (00:00:00)

2. Teaching While Queer (00:00:05)

3. Setting Boundaries, Dealing With Anti-Queer (00:12:43)

4. Supporting Queer Educators (00:25:44)

5. Teacher Influencers and Their Impact (00:32:33)