The Teachable Moment: Effective Responses to Comments and Questions Related to Race, LGBTQ, and Gender Topics in Elementary Schools
Workshop Description
Why does Juan play with dolls? Can girls marry each other? Are those both his parents—they are white, and he is brown? Effectively responding to the teachable moment—in particular, related to LGBTQ, gender, and race topics—models for all students that they will be safe in your classroom. Welcoming Schools knows what questions and comments students, families, and staff often ask about LGBTQ, gender, and race topics in elementary schools. In this workshop we will discuss and practice age-appropriate responses to adult and student questions, so that participants are prepared to effectively respond when the teachable moment occurs.
Conference Track
Family
Primary Contact
Johanna Eager, M.Ed., Human Rights Campaign
Workshop Presenters
Ms. Maria Al-Shamma, MSW, PPCS (Los Angeles), North County LGBTQ Resource Center and Vista Unified School District
Presenter Bio
Maria Al-Shamma, a school social worker in San Diego, is the board chair for the North County LGBTQ Resource Center and also a Welcoming Schools™ Trainer. She is passionate about standing up for queer youth and works to help them feel safe, welcomed, affirmed, empowered, and loved. Maria serves middle and high school students in the Vista Unified School District and works closely with area GSA advisors.
Tracy Flynn (Seattle)
Presenter Bio
Tracy Flynn has over 25 years of experience in management and leadership positions in local and national health, child welfare, and education institutions. Her mission is to provide training and coaching to build healthy individuals, organizations, and communities. Her expertise includes anti-bias and inclusion, leadership and management training, and engagement.
Previous positions include National Training Director with the National CASA Association, Director of Training with Planned Parenthood-Western Washington (now PP of the PNW) and Health Curriculum Specialist with Seattle Public Schools. Tracy currently works as an independent consultant, with numerous clients that include- Welcoming Schools an anti-bias/LGBTQ inclusive program for K-6 schools, the All Children All Families project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and numerous non-profit and public sector agencies including, Puyallup School District, Seattle Central College and the Port of Seattle. Tracy also serves on the board for Out in Front, the premier LGBTQA leadership development program in the PNW. She can be reached via her website: www.tracyflynnconsulting.com