GS2014

This presentation will provide an overview of Gender Spectrum’s model for establishing Gender Inclusive School Climates. Using a strategic and sequential process for building staff, community and student understanding of gender’s complexity, Gender Spectrum has developed a comprehensive program of professional development, curriculum and resources designed to create more accepting conditions in schools at all grade-levels. Participants will be introduced to many of the tools and best practices for creating an accepting school culture, including training materials for school leaders and staff, examples of parent and community education, student curriculum, and various policy documents.

Words Hurt! Gender-expansive students and children who do not fit gender stereotypes are often teased and bullied on a daily basis. Not In Our School (NIOS) is a model offering tools and resources for student-led initiatives to eliminate bullying and all forms of intolerance. The NIOS website offers an array of free films and lesson guides to help educators support students, address homophobia, and create safe spaces for gender-expansive students. Learn strategies that build bridges of understanding across gender, race, and religious differences. Leave this session with a set of tools to help educators bring students together to identify issues at their schools and to launch a student-led Not In Our School campaign.

For many caregivers and educators, even the possibility of a young person transitioning at school seems overwhelming if not impossible. However, some transgender students are taking this courageous step and successfully transitioning while remaining enrolled in their educational institution. What are the key elements of a positive experience? What preparation, training and conditions need to be considered as students and their families make the difficult decision to support a child's authentic gender in the classroom? After exploring key principles that must be considered when a student transitions, the session will present specific tools and resources for supporting a student to safely and successfully transition within the school community.

This workshop will address how to help education professionals identify barriers and supports to creating safe and inclusive school climates. With an emphasis on gender and sexual diversity issues, participants will learn about strategies, long-term interventions, legal guidelines and resources to help you advocate more effectively for transgender and gender-expansive youth in schools. Interactive activities and group discussions will provide participants with experience and practice advocating for the needs of their students and various approaches that are preventive in nature.