Sexuality Matters: Paradigms and Policies for Educational Leaders

Sexuality Matters brings together scholars from a variety of epistemological perspectives to explore the multiple ways in which sexuality does indeed matter in the arena of public education. This book is arranged into three main thematic areas: Policy and Activism, Curriculum and Pedagogy, and Identity and Lived Experiences, each of which explores specific ideas and challenges found within the corresponding topic. The special features of this collection include a focus on the implications of sexuality for educational leadership as well as a multi-perspectival approach to the exploration of these concerns. This text will prove to be especially useful both to scholars who prepare future educational leaders and to practitioners who are seeking ways to deal with the complex social realities of their communities.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Introduction Part 3 Policy and Activism Chapter 4 Sexualities Equality in All Primary Schools: A Case for Not Waiting for "Ideal" Conditions Chapter 5 Gay-Straight Alliances and Other Student Clubs: A District's Responsibilities Chapter 6 Act Out: Organizing for Queer Rights in Education Part 7 Curriculum and Pedagogy Chapter 8 Fostering Positive Dispositions about LGBTQ Matters: The Effects of a Social Justice Curriculum on Future Educational Leaders Chapter 9 Deconstructing Silos: Non-LGBTQ Educators and the Subjects of the Urban Classroom Chapter 10 Why School Principals Must Stop All Teasing, Harassment, and Bullying in Schools and How They Can Do So Part 11 Identity and Experiences Chapter 12 Lesbian and Gay Public School Administrators: Early Experiences that Shape Today Chapter 13 Dancing with the Queers: A Lesson in Discourse Chapter 14 "Did Somebody See Me? Are They Going to Know? Am I Going to Lose My Job?": An Openly Gay Elementary Principal Reflects on Being Gay and Coming Out to His School Community Chapter 15 Brotherhood and a Chance to Belong: Lived Experiences of Gay Fraternity Men in a College Community Chapter 16 Conclusion

About the Author :
James W. Koschoreck is an associate professor in the Urban Educational Leadership Program at the University of Cincinnati. In 2008-09, he served as the president of the University Council for Educational Administration. His research interests include educational policy and politics, and LGBTQ issues in education. Autumn K. Tooms is an associate professor of PreK-12 educational administration at Kent State University. Her research addresses three topics: the study of politics related to the principalship, the study and support of those who aspire to the principalship, and the study of issues relevant to novice principals.

Review :
Sexuality Matters is truly thought provoking. It challenges us as advocates for all students to step out of our professional comfort zones and lead, not follow: to help create new norms, not perpetuate harmful ones. Educational leadership has been long marked by an utter indifference towards queer students, adults, and our issues. Sexuality Matters shatters this silence. Intellectually robust and politically savvy, the various authors fearlessly map the uncharted terrain of educational leadership and social justice for queer people. Sexuality Matters is a "must read" for all who care about US public education. This collection will most certainly become an important resource to educational leaders and those who prepare and develop them. The contributors not only make a powerful case for reconsidering the roles and responsibilities of educational leaders regarding LGBTQ issues, they also provide leaders with an abundance of practical guidance in discharging their legal and ethical responsibilities towards their LGBTQ students and those who would oppose the protection of such rights. Chapters span issues such as the formation of Gay-Straight Alliances in schools to the prevention of harassment and provide insights into the identities and lived experiences of LGBT and queer students and educational professionals. The work of school leaders and the education of our nation's students will be enhanced by this comprehensive, relevant, and useful volume. Educational leaders have grappled for years with how to make the educational system socially just by addressing issues such as racism, religious intolerance, sexism, and equality of treatment for people with disabilities. In this thoughtful book, the authors have taken up the cudgel with regard to homophobia in education, as it affects both students and teachers. From the standpoint of schools as environments, as well as the curricula they use, there is need for including gays, lesbians, and people of transgender in the list of groups worthy of socially just treatment in education. This book offers educational leaders analysis and policy suggestions to help bring this about. In the past, school leaders may have ignored the unique concerns of students and staff with non-normative sexualities, or perhaps worse, they may have enforced narrow conceptions of mainstream sexualities-at untold cost to those who have not fit the mold. Now, as growing numbers of contemporary leaders endeavor instead to make their schools welcoming places for all, Sexuality Matters offers vital guidance. Its chapters are written by leading scholars and practitioners who have engaged these issues powerfully and with elegance.