Read more
ACCESSIBLE STRATEGIES FOR BECOMING A MORE EFFECTIVE ALLY FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS "Poignant, inspiring, and timely,
Teach Like an Ally is a must-read for anyone with LGBTQ+ young people in their lives. Flint's well-researched guide from the perspective of a transgender lifelong educator should be on every teacher's reading list, and on the shelves of anyone looking to deepen their understanding of and support for LGBTQ+ young people."
-SHANE DIAMOND, Director of Communications and Advocacy, GLAAD "
Teach Like an Ally is unapologetic, and yet, also incredibly forgiving, and patient with every reader. It is deeply informed by Flint's personal queer experiences, and backed by his work as an educator, as well as his research into the topic at hand. This book is incredibly poignant and beyond critical for today's educators and for the well-being of all students."
-RAELEE SWEET, Assistant Manager of Education at It Gets Better "Del Sol turned his 10+ years of classroom experience, and insight from coming out as trans on the job, into a compassionate and practical guide. We need books like this now more than ever!"
-MAIA KOBABE, Author of
Gender Queer: A Memoir
List of contents
Foreword xi
Introduction xiii
A Final Revision xiii
The Master's House xvii
The Designated Queer xix
The Promise We Make to Ourselves xxii
Supplementary Materials xxv
Part I Why Any of This Matters 1 Chapter 1 A Brief and Recent History of the Author 3 Once a Teacher 3
The Letters After Our Names 6
Who Is Worth Listening To 8
Chapter 2 A Brief and Recent History of LGBTQ+ Issues in the Classroom 11 Finding the Beginning 11
Why Is It Always Kids? 12
Here the Whole Time 15
A Different Kind of Climate Change 18
As the Water Begins to Warm 19
The Boiling Point 21
The Bright Side 24
Chapter 3 A Brief and Not-So-Recent History of LGBTQ+ Teaching 29 Life in a Fishbowl 29
In the Beginning 31
And the Accusations Roll In 34
The Pie Heard 'Round the World 37
My Name Is Harvey Milk, and I'm Here to Recruit You 38
Queer Teachers Today 40
Chapter 4 Let's Talk Numbers 47 Finding the Numbers 47
The Kids Are All Gay 48
Checking the Facts Against the Feelings 49
The Seeds and the Soil 52
The Data Behind the Schoolhouse Door 54
But...But...the Children! 56
Part II Get Your Mind Right 61 Chapter 5 But What Can I Do on Monday? 63 Chapter 6 Taking Inventory 67 If You're Asking, You Know 67
What Are You Already Doing? 68
The Rainbow-Washed Classroom 75
Grant Me the Grace to Accept the Things I Cannot Change 79
Chapter 7 The Mental Environment 83 The Space Within the Space 83
On the Way in the Door 84
Shifting Classroom Language 86
Swerving Around the Power Struggle 89
Let's Take a Walk 93
Part III Inside the Classroom 97 Chapter 8 Classroom Policies 99 WTF Is a Safe Space? 99
For Safety or Control? 105
Setting Expectations and Evaluating Policies 107
Chapter 9 The Physical Environment 117 Check the Space 117
Flags and Signage 120
Books and Libraries 124
What Else Can I Do? 128
Chapter 10 Units and Lessons 131 Willing to Try 131
Creativity and Connection 133
Avoiding Pitfalls 135
Running an Effective Discussion 137
Bridging the Confidence Gap 139
Starting Points (by Subject) 143
Is It Worth It? 149
Part IV Beyond the Classroom 153 Chapter 11 Communicating with Families 155 A Letter to the Mother Who Called Me a Groomer 155
We Are Not Enemies 157
Considerations for Queer Families 162
Frequent Parent Questions and Concerns 164
Resources and Recommendations 168
Chapter 12 Make Your Principal Read This Chapter 171 Are You in the Arena Too? 171
Leading a Proactive vs. Reactive Campus 174
Queer Staff Protection and Management 179
Chapter 13 School Board Meetings 101 183 Why We Hate Robert's Rules 185
It's Parks and Rec, But Nothing Is Funny 188
Know the Rules, Know the Game 189
Chapter 14 LGBTFAQs 197 Quick Tips for GSAs 197
Logistical Nightmares 201
Annoying Questions 204
Acknowledgments 209
Index 211
About the author
Rising to prominence as a thought leader and noted online presence after documenting his experiences transitioning as a public school teacher in conservative Southern California,
FLINT DEL SOL has lent his voice for the edification of thousands in the world of queer advocacy, allyship, and social emotional pedagogy. With messaging that reaches across regions and political parties, he is an activist for connection, empathy, and nuance in a world that primarily rewards the rhetoric of division.
