Dignity for All: Safeguarding LGBT Students

All students deserve a safe, respectful school environment Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered are susceptible to harassment from their peers and are at high risk of dropping out of school. This book provides professional development ideas and real-life vignettes that will help educational leaders foster a more caring school culture not only for LGBT students, but for all students. Peter DeWitt presents specific strategies for school leaders that include: Implementing a student code of conduct and school board policies to safeguard students Helping staff members recognize and respond to overt and covert LGBT issues Professional development guidelines to equip staff to intervene Ways to include appropriate LGBT topics in the curriculum Supporting Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) in middle and high school settings This practical and compassionate guide contains numerous cases and examples, strategies and templates for codes of conduct (including the NY Code), book study questions, and links to pertinent articles, websites, and blogs for further information. Dignity for All helps inform educators of the issues and methods for building acceptance in a diverse world.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. The Silent Minority Our School Experiences What It Means to Be Gay The Need for Role Models Harassment and Discrimination of LGBT Students Negative Stereotypes of LGBT Students Conclusion Action Steps Discussion Questions 2. Bullying of LGBT Students Where Bullying Behavior Begins Cyberbullying Setting the Tone in School Safeguarding and Supporting LGBT Students Conclusion Action Steps Discussion Questions 3. The Role of Schools The Impact Schools Can Have on LGBT Students Keeping Students Safe Teacher Biases Professional Development Parent Outreach Conclusion Action Steps Discussion Questions 4. Curriculum Matters Diverse Literature at an Age-Appropriate Level Supportive Learning Environments for LGBT Students Curriculum Elementary School Gender Differences and Character Education English Language Arts Social Studies Guest Speakers Who Address Bullying After-School Enrichment Conclusion Action Steps Discussion Questions 5. Gay-Straight Alliances Why Schools Should Offer a GSA The Parameters of Creating a GSA Events Held by a GSA Conclusion Action Steps Discussion Questions 6. Following Through: School Board Policies and Codes of Conduct Laws That Support School Decisions School Leaders Embracing the Sexual Diversity of Students A Shared Vision: Creating School Codes of Conduct Creating School Board Policies How Parents, Staff, and Students Can Help Conclusion Action Steps Discussion Questions Questions to Ponder 7. Important Stories From Higher Education Appendix: NASP Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth References Index

About the Author :
Peter DeWitt (Ed.D) is the founder and CEO of the Instructional Leadership Collective, and approaches everything with a learner′s mindset. He was a K-5 teacher for 11 years and a principal for 8 years. For over 12 years, he has been facilitating professional learning nationally, and internationally, based on the content of many of his best-selling educational books.  DeWitt′s professional learning relationships are a monthly hybrid approach that includes both coaching and the facilitating workshops on instructional leadership and collective efficacy. His work has been adopted at the state level, university level, and he works with numerous school districts, school boards, regional networks, ministries of education around North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the U.K. Peter writes the Finding Common Ground column for Education Week with Michael Nelson and they host Corwin’s Leaders Coaching Leaders podcast. In 2020 DeWitt co-created Education Week′s A Seat At the Table where he moderates conversations with experts around the topics of race, gender, research, trauma and many other educational topics. Peter is the author, co-author or contributor of numerous books and his articles have appeared in educational research journals at the state, national and international level. His books have been translated into numerous languages. 

Review :
"Dignity for All is a wise book that will help administrators, teachers, and parents work together to make sure that our schools are welcoming for all of our students. Peter DeWitt provides the insight and ideas to lead the way in including LGBT students." "In this book, a group of students that is often misunderstood and frequently maligned finds a voice. Educators whose reach extends to every student will discover here a deeper understanding of these students’ needs as well as sound advice on addressing those needs." “Leaders set the tone for their buildings. Peter DeWitt offers an important resource for teachers and administrators that will help create an inclusive school for all students.” "Dignity for All provides educators with critical information on the experiences of LGBT students in our schools and how to create safe and affirming spaces for these youth. Grounded in his experience as a teacher and school administrator, Peter DeWitt makes vital knowledge accessible for those on the front lines in schools." "This book is a valuable resource guide for schools considering a course of action. It is recommended for all high schools seeking progressive change."