I think the one of the biggest barriers in the classroom right now is the lack of inclusive language. A lot of the time our brains subconsciously tell us to address a group of people as “ladies and gentlemen” or “boys and girls.” Although this may seem like a harmless phrase, which is so deeply embedded in tradition, it automatically sets the tone in your classroom. Kids who identify with the queer community will feel shut out and not comfortable in the environment. A good way to fix this, as Katia spoke about in lecture, is coming up with a gender neutral term for addressing your students, such as “friends.”
Another thing that could be implemented is informal support groups, informal so that people don’t view it like a ‘club.’ Yes, schools have counsellors who insist that their door is always open to listen, but what if the student isn’t comfortable in a one on one scenario with an authority figure discussing struggles with their gender identity, sexual orientation, or both.
As a future educator I will make sure I always have resources to offer my students if they are seeking help. I will make my classroom a judgment free space in hopes that everyone feels comfortable to be one hundred percent, authentically themselves. The twenty-first century is not a time when people should have to suppress their identities in fear of their safety, especially not in an educational institution.
Hey Nicole!
I agree heavily on the gendered language. It is so hard to get out of calling everyone “guys” and switching to “everyone”, “class”, etc. How would you propose someone goes about creating an informal support group? I think you had some really awesome ideas and resources for students.