Teach Like an Ally: An Educator's Guide to Nurturing LGBTQ+ Students

Answers to all your burning questions and practical advice for helping LGBTQ+ students thrive In Teach Like an Ally: An Educator's Guide to Nurturing LGBTQ+ Students, veteran classroom teacher and celebrated transgender advocate Flint Del Sol weaves humor, storytelling, and expertise into a hands-on guide for educator-allies. Del Sol offers actionable strategies that you can implement in classrooms right away. He also tackles the complex questions teachers face: What should you do when a student asks for one name in the classroom, but another at home? Or when you're sure a student is trans, but they haven't said anything to you? How do you know your bathroom pass policy isn't hurting your most vulnerable students? What do you do when your values are at odds with school policy? Building a positive school climate doesn't have to be intimidating. In Teach Like an Ally, you'll learn how educators can support each other and how we can all give LGBTQ+ students the best possible chance to flourish. Get candid answers to difficult questions about LGBTQ+ students in the classroom Become a stronger ally by understanding what LGBTQ+ students go through in secondary school settings Learn the research-backed practices you can implement to make your classroom a safe space for all Support all students in developing compassion and understanding for one another This pragmatic book is for teachers, administrators, families, and anyone committed to the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ students in secondary classrooms.

Table of Contents:
Foreword xi Introduction xiii A Final Revision xiii The Master’s House xvii The Designated Queer xix The Promise We Make to Ourselves xxii Supplementary Materials xxv Part I Why Any of This Matters 1 Chapter 1 A Brief and Recent History of the Author 3 Once a Teacher 3 The Letters After Our Names 6 Who Is Worth Listening To 8 Chapter 2 A Brief and Recent History of LGBTQ+ Issues in the Classroom 11 Finding the Beginning 11 Why Is It Always Kids? 12 Here the Whole Time 15 A Different Kind of Climate Change 18 As the Water Begins to Warm 19 The Boiling Point 21 The Bright Side 24 Chapter 3 A Brief and Not-So-Recent History of LGBTQ+ Teaching 29 Life in a Fishbowl 29 In the Beginning 31 And the Accusations Roll In 34 The Pie Heard ’Round the World 37 My Name Is Harvey Milk, and I’m Here to Recruit You 38 Queer Teachers Today 40 Chapter 4 Let’s Talk Numbers 47 Finding the Numbers 47 The Kids Are All Gay 48 Checking the Facts Against the Feelings 49 The Seeds and the Soil 52 The Data Behind the Schoolhouse Door 54 But…But…the Children! 56 Part II Get Your Mind Right 61 Chapter 5 But What Can I Do on Monday? 63 Chapter 6 Taking Inventory 67 If You’re Asking, You Know 67 What Are You Already Doing? 68 The Rainbow-Washed Classroom 75 Grant Me the Grace to Accept the Things I Cannot Change 79 Chapter 7 The Mental Environment 83 The Space Within the Space 83 On the Way in the Door 84 Shifting Classroom Language 86 Swerving Around the Power Struggle 89 Let’s Take a Walk 93 Part III Inside the Classroom 97 Chapter 8 Classroom Policies 99 WTF Is a Safe Space? 99 For Safety or Control? 105 Setting Expectations and Evaluating Policies 107 Chapter 9 The Physical Environment 117 Check the Space 117 Flags and Signage 120 Books and Libraries 124 What Else Can I Do? 128 Chapter 10 Units and Lessons 131 Willing to Try 131 Creativity and Connection 133 Avoiding Pitfalls 135 Running an Effective Discussion 137 Bridging the Confidence Gap 139 Starting Points (by Subject) 143 Is It Worth It? 149 Part IV Beyond the Classroom 153 Chapter 11 Communicating with Families 155 A Letter to the Mother Who Called Me a Groomer 155 We Are Not Enemies 157 Considerations for Queer Families 162 Frequent Parent Questions and Concerns 164 Resources and Recommendations 168 Chapter 12 Make Your Principal Read This Chapter 171 Are You in the Arena Too? 171 Leading a Proactive vs. Reactive Campus 174 Queer Staff Protection and Management 179 Chapter 13 School Board Meetings 101 183 Why We Hate Robert’s Rules 185 It’s Parks and Rec, But Nothing Is Funny 188 Know the Rules, Know the Game 189 Chapter 14 LGBTFAQs 197 Quick Tips for GSAs 197 Logistical Nightmares 201 Annoying Questions 204 Acknowledgments 209 Index 211

About the Author :
Rising to prominence as a thought leader and noted online presence after documenting his experiences transitioning as a public school teacher in conservative Southern California, FLINT DEL SOL has lent his voice for the edification of thousands in the world of queer advocacy, allyship, and social emotional pedagogy. With messaging that reaches across regions and political parties, he is an activist for connection, empathy, and nuance in a world that primarily rewards the rhetoric of division.