A critical guide on creating inclusive classrooms for transgender students
Including a foreword from Dr. Peggy Brookins, President of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, The Advocate Educator’s Handbook offers a tested framework for educators to use in their journeys to create inclusive classrooms for transgender and non-binary students. Centered on a framework of four principles – educate, affirm, include, and disrupt – this book provides a new way of thinking about inclusivity in the classroom, as well as practical ways to foster students’ sense of belonging. The authors bring rich understanding to the topic – Kling as a transgender educator & advocate, Ford as a teacher & parent of a transgender child, and both authors being educators themselves. You’ll also read stories from transgender and non-binary students, teachers, researchers, parents, and more, providing unique and important perspectives.
Inside the book, you’ll find tools that you can start using on day one of being in the classroom. You’ll also find model policies for teachers, schools administrators, and public policymakers, so you can begin the important work of advocating for and with trans and non-binary students. By engaging with trans youth and allies, we can build inclusivity in and beyond the classroom.
Understand what it means to be transgender or non-binary and learn about the experiences of trans youth Learn how to support trans and non-binary students with dozens of firsthand accounts from experts serving the communities Find resources you can use as an educator in your journey toward inclusivity in education
Recognize and respond to anti-trans policies and laws targeting trans students
Identify important actions unique to your situation with personal reflection questions and scenarios
This book was created especially for K-12 educators, administrators, and others looking to enact change and create safe spaces for transgender and non-binary youth. From daily life in the classroom to policy at the highest levels, The Advocate Educator’s Handbook will help educators & their community work toward meaningful change.
By:
Vanessa Ford,
Rebecca Kling
Imprint: Sybex Inc.,U.S.
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 226mm,
Width: 150mm,
Spine: 18mm
Weight: 295g
ISBN: 9781394178018
ISBN 10: 1394178018
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 09 February 2024
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword xv Author Bios xvii Introduction 1 Using This Book 1 Focusing on Trans and Non-Binary Students 3 Becoming an Advocate Educator 10 Putting It into Practice 14 Part I Setting the Stage 19 Chapter 1 Background Information 21 A Brief History of Trans Identity 22 (Some of) The Many Ways to Be Trans 26 How Many Trans Students Are There? 27 Putting It into Practice 32 Chapter 2 Glossary of Terms and Definitions 37 Putting It into Practice 52 Chapter 3 Supporting Diverse Student Bodies 57 Race and Racism 58 Physical Disabilities 60 Neurodiversity 63 Economic Class 68 Family Structure and Dynamics 69 Putting It into Practice 70 Part II The Four Core Principles 75 Chapter 4 Educate 77 Determining Who to Train 78 Determining What to Teach 82 Determining Who Will Teach 89 Challenges Facing School Staff 91 Putting It into Practice 95 Chapter 5 Affirm 99 Affirming Policies and Legislation 101 Affirming Practices 117 Putting It into Practice 124 Chapter 6 Include 131 Windows and Mirrors 133 Inclusive Education Communities 136 Creating Inclusive Classrooms and Curricula 141 Creating Inclusive Extracurricular Activities 161 Putting It into Practice 166 Chapter 7 Disrupt 173 Responding to Students 174 Responding to Parents and Community Members 175 Responding to Anti-Trans Laws and Policies 180 Considering Legal Action 186 Advocating with Trans Students and Student Voices 186 Evaluating Your Comfort with Taking Risks 194 Taking Care of Yourself 196 Putting It into Practice 197 Conclusion 201 Afterword—Vanessa Ford 205 Afterword—Rebecca Kling 209 Acknowledgments 213 Appendix 1 Additional Resources 217 Books 217 Videos and Documentaries 218 Scholarly Articles, Research, and Data 218 Resources Intended Specifically for Educators 220 Sample Curriculum Resources 222 Courses and Professional Development for Educators 223 Model Policies, Assessments, and Guidelines for Schools and Districts 224 Real Policies and Guidelines for Schools and Districts 224 Professional Association Policy Positions and Best Practices 225 Other Government Docs and Resources 226 Resources for Students 227 Appendix 2 Professional Development Provider Options 229 A Queer Endeavor 229 Better World Collaborative 230 Glsen 231 The Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Program 232 Stonewall National Education Project (SNEP) Symposium 233 The Trevor Project 234 YES Institute 235 Appendix 3 Guidance Template for Classroom Libraries 237 Index 239
Vanessa Ford (she/her) is an award-winning educator and author. Her children’s book, Calvin, won the 2022 Lambda Literary Award for Best Children’s Book. Ford was a classroom teacher for 14 years in DC Public Schools and her advocacy has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Newsweek and NPR. She was a founding member of The Human Rights Campaign’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council and sat for two years on the board of the National Center for Transgender Equality. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is trans, near Boston. Learn more about Vanessa’s work at www.jrandvanessaford.com. Rebecca Kling (she/her) is an educator, organizer, storyteller, and advocate for social change. Kling served as the community storytelling advocate and director of education programming at the National Center for Transgender Rights, as well as on the leadership team of Harbor Camps, a sleepaway summer camp for trans and non-binary youth. She is also the co-founder of Better World Collaborative, a social impact consulting firm working to combat the recent flood of anti-trans legislation. She lives in Chicago with her two cats. Learn about Rebecca’s work at www.rebeccakling.com and www.bwcollab.com.
