Register for a Facilitated LGBTQ+ Blended Learning Course

Taking a Stand: Creating Safer Schools for LGBTQ+ Students

In this course, we will introduce the importance of creating safe spaces for LGBTQ students, and especially those who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). We will review NEA’s Racial Justice Framework, data from the nation’s leading research organizations on LGBTQ youth, and discuss how we as educators can intentionally create safer spaces for LGBTQ students.

By the end of this course, you will expand your awareness about school safety issues for LGBTQ students, analyze the factors that affect their safety, and develop action plans to create safer spaces for LGBTQ students in your learning community.

Course Objectives

This course has the following learning goals for all participants:

• Identify factors that contribute to a safe/unsafe learning environment for LGBTQ+ students
• Identify additional barriers to safety for BIPOC students who are also LGBTQ+
• Learn how to become an LGBTQ+ ally
• Create an action plan on how to create safer schools for all students

Walking the Talk: Classroom Strategies for Addressing LGBTQ+ Bias

Walking the Talk: Classroom Strategies for Addressing LGBTQ+ Bias is the second of six courses in the NEA’s LGBTQ+ training series. Stereotypes and prejudice are the seeds of bias, and the reality is that all humans hold some degree of bias. Unfortunately, whether conscious or unconscious, acting on a bias has profound negative effects on students, especially those who are LGBTQ+ and BIPOC.

In this course, you will learn how to identify where you may hold an unconscious bias, and explore classroom strategies to address specific anti-LGBTQ+ bias. In addition, you will learn the core tenants of anti-bias, antiracist education and develop action plans to ensure your curriculum, instructional materials, and approach are inclusive and welcoming to all students.

Course Objectives

• Understand key terminology related to race, educational justice, and LGBTQ+
• Explain how bias in schools impacts LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students
• Incorporate inclusive curriculum in your work with students
• Apply an anti-bias, antiracist lens to your teaching practice
• Develop an LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-inclusive unit or lesson plan to address bias in the classroom

Making the Case: Communication Strategies on LGBTQ Issues

LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately targeted for harassment and discrimination in school and often face environments that are not inclusive in terms of both curriculum and policy. For LGBTQ+ students of color, the disparities are even greater. Educators can advocate for changes that can improve outcomes (both academic and socio-emotionally) for these students. But having these conversations with colleagues around an issue that may be viewed as controversial or perhaps even taboo can be difficult.

This course, designed for educators and education leaders, provides an overview of effective messaging and communication strategies on controversial issues. It also offers resources and models for talking to constituents about the need to address LGBTQ+ related bias in schools, advocating for LGBTQ+ affirming policies, and providing LGBTQ+ inclusive education.

Course Objectives

• Identify common objects to LGBTQ+ inclusive policy and LGBTQ+ inclusive education.
• Create an effective message as the result of the understanding your audience.
• Understand emotions to prepare for difficult conversations.
• Respond to inappropriate questions or arguments.
• Advocate for LGBTQ+ youth while identifying allies within your school.

Exploring Connections: The intersections of Race, Gender, Gender identity, and Sexual Orientation

This course is designed for all school personnel. This unique training explores the relationships, commonalities, and intersectionality of race, gender, and sexual orientation.

This training provides the definitions of key concepts and explores the impact of intersectionality on students. You will conclude the training by developing an action plan to support LGBTQ+ students who have multiple marginalized identities.

Course Objectives

• Define race, gender, and sexual orientation
• Describe the impact that intersecting social identities have on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC people
• Explain the difference between systemic oppression and systemic privilege
• Develop a plan to support students who, because of their intersecting identities, often face systemic barriers and disadvantage

Safe and Supportive Working Environments

In this course, you will gain deeper insight into the employment protections available for LGBTQ+ employees at the federal, state, and local levels. You will learn about the challenges BIPOC and LGBTQ+ employees face in the workplace, review your own local policies, and learn how you can advocate for an inclusive workplace. A focus on the Racial Justice in Education Framework helps ensure new policies are both inclusive and equitable.

Course Objectives

• Explain recent policies and laws that exist to protect or prevent the rights of LGBTQ+ Employees.
• Identify barriers LGBTQ+ employees face, especially those with intersecting marginalized identities.
• Explain why the ”coming out” process is difficult for many educators.
• Recognize policies that support an LGBTQ+ affirming workplace.
• State several ways to support LGBTQ+ educators right now.

Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary,  and Gender Non-Conforming Students

Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming (GNC) Students is the last course in the NEA LGBTQ+ training series. In this course, we’ll learn about LGBTQ+ terminology, LGBTQ+ transitions, how to create safer schools for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students, and how the Racial Justice in Education Framework flows through all these topics.

Course Objectives

• Define and explain various terms related to the queer of “LGBTQ+” identities
• Explain how transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming (also called GNC) students may choose to transition and make their identity public
• Explain the specific challenges and needs of BIPOC students (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) who are transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming
• Identify effective action steps to create safer learning spaces for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students