The Advocate Educator's Handbook
Creating Schools Where Transgender and Non-Binary Students Thrive
1st Edition
Published on 18. January 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-394-17801-8 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 158 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight
304 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-394-17801-8 (9781394178018)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Vanessa Ford | Rebecca Kling
The Advocate Educator's Handbook
Creating Schools Where Transgender and Non-Binary Students Thrive
E-Book
01/2024
1st Edition
Wiley-Scrivener
€17.99
Available for download
Vanessa Ford | Rebecca Kling
The Advocate Educator's Handbook
Creating Schools Where Transgender and Non-Binary Students Thrive
E-Book
01/2024
1st Edition
Wiley
€17.99
Available for download
Persons
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.
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.
Content
Introduction
Using This Book
Focusing on Trans and Non-Binary Students
Becoming an Advocate Educator
Putting It into Practice
PART I: Setting the Stage
1 | Background Information
A Brief History of Trans Identity
(Some of) The Many Ways to Be Trans
How Many Trans Students Are There?
Putting It into Practice
2 | Conversations within the Trans Community
3 | Glossary of Terms and Definitions
4 | Supporting Diverse Student Bodies
Race and Racism
Physical Disabilities
Neurodiversity
Economic Class
Family Structure and Dynamics
Putting It into Practice
PART II: The Four Core Principles
5 | Educate
Determining Who to Train
Determining What to Teach
Determining Who Will Teach
Challenges Facing School Staff
Putting It into Practice
6 | Affirm
Affirming Policies and Legislation
Affirming Practices
Putting It into Practice
7 | Include
Windows and Mirrors
Inclusive Education Communities
Creating Inclusive Classrooms and Curricula
Creating Inclusive Extracurricular Activities
Putting It into Practice
8 | Disrupt
Responding to Students
Responding to Parents and Community Members
Responding to Anti-Trans Laws and Policies
Considering Legal Action
Advocating with Trans Students and Student Voices
Evaluating Your Comfort with Taking Risks
Taking Care of Yourself
Putting It into Practice
Conclusion
Afterword-Vanessa Ford
Afterword-Rebecca Kling
Acknowledgements
Appendix 1: Additional Resources
Books
Videos and Documentaries
Scholarly Articles, Research, and Data
Resources Intended Specifically for Educators
Sample Curriculum Resources
Courses and Professional Development for Educators
Model Policies, Assessments, and Guidelines for Schools and Districts
Real Policies and Guidelines for Schools and Districts
Professional Association Policy Positions and Best Practices
Other Government Docs and Resources
Resources For Students
Appendix 2: Professional Development Provider Options
A Queer Endeavor
Better World Collaborative
GLSEN
The Human Rights Campaign's Welcoming Schools Program
Stonewall National Education Project (SNEP) Symposium
The Trevor Project
YES Institute
Appendix 3: Model Local Education Agency Policy on Transgender and Non-Binary Students
Introduction
Appendix 4: LGBTQ Inclusivity in Schools: A Self-Assessment Tool from the CDC (Excerpt)
Appendix 5: GLSEN LGBTQ Inclusive School Assessments
Appendix 6: Chicago Public Schools Gender Support Plan
Appendix 7: Gender-Inclusive Biology Framework
History
The Framework: 5 principles for gender-inclusion
Reflection questions to ask yourself & your practice
Appendix 8: Guidance Template for Classroom Libraries
Appendix 9: Welcoming Schools Lesson plan for Calvin
Appendix 10: Welcoming Schools Secondary LGBTQ+ and Gender Inclusive Schools Checklist
Using This Book
Focusing on Trans and Non-Binary Students
Becoming an Advocate Educator
Putting It into Practice
PART I: Setting the Stage
1 | Background Information
A Brief History of Trans Identity
(Some of) The Many Ways to Be Trans
How Many Trans Students Are There?
Putting It into Practice
2 | Conversations within the Trans Community
3 | Glossary of Terms and Definitions
4 | Supporting Diverse Student Bodies
Race and Racism
Physical Disabilities
Neurodiversity
Economic Class
Family Structure and Dynamics
Putting It into Practice
PART II: The Four Core Principles
5 | Educate
Determining Who to Train
Determining What to Teach
Determining Who Will Teach
Challenges Facing School Staff
Putting It into Practice
6 | Affirm
Affirming Policies and Legislation
Affirming Practices
Putting It into Practice
7 | Include
Windows and Mirrors
Inclusive Education Communities
Creating Inclusive Classrooms and Curricula
Creating Inclusive Extracurricular Activities
Putting It into Practice
8 | Disrupt
Responding to Students
Responding to Parents and Community Members
Responding to Anti-Trans Laws and Policies
Considering Legal Action
Advocating with Trans Students and Student Voices
Evaluating Your Comfort with Taking Risks
Taking Care of Yourself
Putting It into Practice
Conclusion
Afterword-Vanessa Ford
Afterword-Rebecca Kling
Acknowledgements
Appendix 1: Additional Resources
Books
Videos and Documentaries
Scholarly Articles, Research, and Data
Resources Intended Specifically for Educators
Sample Curriculum Resources
Courses and Professional Development for Educators
Model Policies, Assessments, and Guidelines for Schools and Districts
Real Policies and Guidelines for Schools and Districts
Professional Association Policy Positions and Best Practices
Other Government Docs and Resources
Resources For Students
Appendix 2: Professional Development Provider Options
A Queer Endeavor
Better World Collaborative
GLSEN
The Human Rights Campaign's Welcoming Schools Program
Stonewall National Education Project (SNEP) Symposium
The Trevor Project
YES Institute
Appendix 3: Model Local Education Agency Policy on Transgender and Non-Binary Students
Introduction
Appendix 4: LGBTQ Inclusivity in Schools: A Self-Assessment Tool from the CDC (Excerpt)
Appendix 5: GLSEN LGBTQ Inclusive School Assessments
Appendix 6: Chicago Public Schools Gender Support Plan
Appendix 7: Gender-Inclusive Biology Framework
History
The Framework: 5 principles for gender-inclusion
Reflection questions to ask yourself & your practice
Appendix 8: Guidance Template for Classroom Libraries
Appendix 9: Welcoming Schools Lesson plan for Calvin
Appendix 10: Welcoming Schools Secondary LGBTQ+ and Gender Inclusive Schools Checklist