Transforming the Educational Landscape: A Pollicino's Proactive Advocacy for Queer Inclusivity in Education

Teaching While Queer: Advocacy For LGBTQ Folks In Schools & Education To Live & Work As Your Authentic Self

Ask A Queer Educator

Teaching While Queer, Season 2, Episode 16

Do you ever wonder what it's like navigating academia as a 2S LGBTQ+ educator? We've got an incredibly enlightening conversation for you! We're joined by A Pollicino, a brilliant museum educator and a trans non-binary agender individual on a mission to transform our educational system. They share their journey - from their self-discovery to their pursuit of a PhD in educational policy intended to create more inclusive spaces for trans students and faculty.
In our chat, we journey through the complexities of gender identity and how society's expectations shape our understanding and expression of gender. We dive into the fluidity of terminologies and labels and bring to light erased or suppressed identities due to colonialism, particularly in indigenous cultures. And we don't stop there! We bring you tales from the trenches of education. Hear about an art teacher's collaborations with local tribes for a fairer history curriculum, and how a museum educator manages their gender identity exploration while gunning for a PhD.
But creating more inclusive educational settings goes beyond individual experiences. It's about embracing and honoring our students' pronouns and identities. It's about advocating for workplace and educational policies that protect gender identity and sexual orientation. That's why we delve into the implications of inclusive language in hiring, the journey of a queer PhD student, and the need for systemic change. So, if you're seeking to understand, empathize, and contribute towards a safer, more inclusive environment for all - tune in!

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The podcast explores the challenges and successes of LGBTQ representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Chapters

1. Transforming the Educational Landscape: A Pollicino's Proactive Advocacy for Queer Inclusivity in Education (00:00:00)

2. Exploring LGBTQ+ Identity in Education (00:00:05)

3. Exploring Gender Identity and Indigenous Cultures (00:08:54)

4. Education and Gender Identity Evolution (00:15:48)

5. Trans Identity, PhD Pursuit (00:23:18)

6. Pursuing Higher Education and Advocacy (00:28:10)

7. Inclusive Environments for LGBTQIA+ Students (00:39:11)

8. Policies and Protections for LGBTQ+ Educators (00:46:59)