3 Simple Practices to Add to Your Teaching Today
Feeling energized to create SOGI-inclusive school environments, but unsure where or how to get started? Have you been doing this work for some time, and are looking for practical tips to pass along to your colleagues? Look no further! We know that the topic of SOGI-inclusive education is deep and complex, and student needs will differ from person to person. However, we also know that there are some simple and effective practices that you (and your colleagues!) can bring into your teaching practices that will begin to move that dial and open the door for further conversations.
Below are three simple practices you can add to your teaching today:
Use inclusive student titles. Instead of “boys and girls” try referring to “students”, “everyone”, or “class”. Take it up a notch by evoking excellence with categories like “scholars”, “mathematicians” or “athletes”.
Make room for students to do anything regardless of gender. Explicitly counter stereotypes. Repeat often. The root of a lot of homophobia and transphobia is the idea that boys must be a certain way and girls must be a (different) certain way.
Make your classroom visibly inclusive by displaying rainbow “safe space” stickers or posters portraying a variety of families. This sets the tone for what is expected in your class and lets students who are not yet ready to speak up know that you are a safe person.