Educational Equity

We know that all students benefit from a school climate that addresses gender role stereotyping and disrupts bullying around gender identity and expression. This workshop will provide participants with a brief overview of lesson plans, books and resources, as well as concrete strategies to create an environment where all students thrive. In this session, you will have an interactive, first-hand experience with two of Welcoming Schools’ most popular professional development modules—Creating Gender-Inclusive Schools and Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Students—which include strategies, videos and resources to better support all your students!

It is essential for educators to recognize all of their students’ identities—both privileged and marginalized—to create school systems and school climates that are equitable and cultivate a sense of belonging so all students can thrive. In this workshop, participants will learn what intersectionality is and how to use it as a framework to serve all students, in particular, by recognizing students’ identities at the intersections, such as race, ethnicity, gender, ability, faith, sexual orientation and family structure. Participants will leave the workshop with practices, developed by Welcoming Schools, that are affirming and welcoming for students’ whole selves, so they can successfully ease into learning each day.

Research indicates that over half of bullying incidents in schools are identity-based, which means they are rooted in bias. Educators often do not know how or feel uncomfortable facilitating learning about bias and/or intervening when a bias incident happens. In collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League, Welcoming Schools developed a youth-centered video that prioritizes and amplifies the voices of a diverse group of students across the United States. During our time together we will watch the short 9-minute video and provide actionable strategies based upon advice from youth to educators, creating an opportunity for educators to increase both their knowledge and confidence in addressing identity-based bullying.

When educators are prepared to respond to challenging questions from students they can turn any moment into a teachable moment. Welcoming Schools knows how challenging it can be to effectively respond to questions and comments from students and families. As such, we have developed and will share resources with participants that offer examples of age-appropriate responses to common questions about LGBTQ+, gender and family topics. We will work together in this session to review and practice responses so that you will feel prepared to address teachable moments throughout the school year.