Advocate Educator''s Handbook - Creating Schools Where Transgender and Non-Binary Students Thrive

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.

List of contents

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

About the author

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.

Summary

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.

Report

"As President Barack Obama's Secretary of Education, I fought to ensure a safe, non-discriminatory environment for transgender young people in our nation's public schools and higher education institutions. The Advocate Educator's Handbook is rooted in the same inarguable premise that fueled those efforts: that trans youth have a right to learn in welcoming, nurturing schools where they can grow, be themselves, and live joyously. The challenge the authors have taken on, to help educators learn how to create and maintain such spaces, is crucial. Rigorous but not pedantic, The Advocate Educator's Handbook establishes a blueprint for creating, in your classroom and your school, the environment of acceptance trans youth need to succeed. What's more, this book clearly identifies the challenges in creating such environments, and the strategies for overcoming those difficulties. This is an important text for educators, parents, and those seeking to build safe and supportive communities for young people - and thankfully, it's also a well-written, superbly organized, optimistic and loving one."
 
-Dr. John King, Former US Secretary of Education, Chancellor SUNY University System
 
"A resource such as this couldn't come at a more crucial time, as transgender youth in the U.S. have become the opportunistic targets of the escalating waves of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation. With its comprehensive and methodical approach to tackling challenging issues facing advocates for transgender rights, this handbook will become a fundamental tool for anybody who works with and serves youth."
 
-Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality
 
"We celebrate the deeply informed respect at work throughout this guide for "creating schools where trans and non-binary students thrive." The Advocate Educators Handbook is a necessary tool for all who care about creating inclusive schools. Stories from trans youth strengthen every section. Knowledge is power!"
 
-Wendy Sanford, co-founder and co-author of Our Bodies, Ourselves and Cris Alonso, Board Member, Our Bodies Ourselves
 
"The notion of Brave Education is never in opposition to the idea of a safe education. Safety is just such a low bar and should be an inalienable feature of public education, not optional or a bragging point. The Advocate Educator's Handbook supports the notion that schools have to, first, be safe enough to honor the bravery so many LGBTQ+ students and educators are already demonstrating. Schools that promote a safe and excellent education for all students need this handbook if genuinely committed to living into that promise."
 
-Tim'm West, M.Ed., Executive Director, LGBTQ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
 
"For educators, administrators, school staff, and anyone else who has asked, 'How can I best support transgender students?' - this book is for you. The Advocate Educator's Handbook is scaffolded to meet educators where they are, and is a critical tool for creating safer, more inclusive learning environments for transgender students everywhere."
 
-Keygan Miller, Director of Public Training, The Trevor Project
 
"This is my job in a book! The Advocate Educator's Handbook is a one-stop shop for all the need-to-know information on supporting trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth in schools. It is an invaluable resource for educators and youth-serving professionals who want to implement equitable practices for LGBTQ+ youth."
 
-Booker Marshall, LGBTQ and Sexual Health Manager, Chicago Public Schools
 
"Ford and Kling have written one of the most comprehensive tools for educators not only to understand how to help LGBTQ+ thrive, but to understand how to position themselves, as educators, in the journey to understanding, acceptance, and advocacy of their students. Every teacher, counselor, administrator, and parent should know this book."
 
-Willie Carver, Author of Gay Poems for Red States, 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Member of the American Federation of Teachers National LGBTQ+ Task Force
 
"A modern guide for anyone seeking to boldly support transgender and non-binary students. Resources, reflection, real situations all in one."
 
-Levi Arithson, Program Manager, LGBTQ+ Equity Initiatives, Denver Public Schools
 
"This book could not come at a more critical time. Any youth serving professional or family member looking for tools to advocate for LGBTQ+ youth should read this book. I am grateful for the concrete strategies to ensure LGBTQ+ youth are in environments where they are valued and can be their authentic selves."
 
-Cheryl Greene, Senior Director, Welcoming Schools, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
 
"The Advocate Educator's Handbook is an accessible and comprehensive toolkit that teachers, administrators, policymakers, and parents can use to create more inclusive, affirming, and joyful educational experiences for trans and non-binary youth. By asking them to reflect on their own motivations, knowledge, and commitment to education, Ford and Kling inspire readers to disrupt inequitable policies and practices to better meet the needs of our gender-diverse students."
 
-Sara Moore, Associate Professor and Chairperson of Sociology, Salem State University
 
"As a parent of a trans youth, navigating the school system felt like an overwhelming and intimidating process. This book makes it less so! Every parent of a transgender kiddo should read this book and feel confident that their child can and should be supported in their schools and by their peers. Every teacher should read this to learn how to support and cultivate an inclusive classroom! This is a must read!"
 
-Lizette and Jose Truillo, Parent Advocates
 
"This book is a fantastic resource, and I cannot wait to share this book with educators throughout Minnesota! Whether you are new to these concepts or a seasoned advocate, this book has something that each of us can learn. As states and municipalities across the country pass vastly different policies regarding transgender and nonbinary children, this book offers steps that each of us can take, within the bounds of our local laws, to support a school atmosphere that allows transgender and non-binary students to thrive. Thank you for creating such an amazing resource!"
 
-Kelsey Waits, Activist and Founder of Transparent Alliance
 
"A timely and much-needed handbook! EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) practitioners, consultants, and facilitators like myself--not just teachers and school administrators--learn and benefit greatly from reading and using this excellent guide."
 
-Yee Won Chong, Senior Racial Equity Fellow, Western States Center for EDI
 
"The Advocate Educator's Handbook is beautifully written, clear, comprehensive, specifically helpful, warm, and open...open to human potential, to change, and to more beautiful, meaningful, joyful exchanges in our classrooms, led by, and centered upon, trans joy."
 
-Joji Florence, Co-Founder of Trans formative Schools

Product details

• Authors: Vanessa Ford, Vanessa Kling Ford, Rebecca Kling
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2024
• EAN: 9781394178018
• ISBN: 978-1-394-17801-8
• No. of pages: 272
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Family; Humanities, art, music > Education > Special education; Transgender, Education, Bildungswesen, K-12, K-12 / Lehren u. Lernen, Teaching & Learning (K-12)