Educate, Part 3: Engage School Staff

Creating safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression can be a difficult task.  There is no reason to go it alone - help other educators become supportive allies for LGBT students.  Here are some simple ways you can share your commitment to ensure safe schools and your knowledge about the issues with other educators.

BE A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHER EDUCATORS

Let your actions as an ally inform others.  Use the appropriate terms - such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer or LGBT - and correct people when you hear incorrect or derogatory language.  Use gender-neutral pronouns and LGBT-inclusive language in school.  Intervene when anti-LGBT behavior occurs and show other educators how to advocate for change within the school.


DISCUSS WITH OTHERS

In the hallways, during lunch or whenever you have a moment, share information with other educators.  Tell them about experiences of LGBT students in school, some of the anti-LGBT behavior incidents you have responded to or about the changes in the school you would like to see.  Letting other educators know about the concrete things they can do may help make being an ally a realistic option for them.  For more ideas, talk with fellow educators about how they are including LGBT people, history and events in their curriculum.  To learn what others are doing and share your own ideas, join the Educator Allies Network, GLSEN's social networking site for K-12 educators, at http://edallies.ning.com.


DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION

Select posts from this guide (e.g. Responding to Anti-LGBT Language and Behavior or When a Student Comes Out to You) and give them to school staff at meetings, post them in a staff lounge or put them in the mailboxes of all staff.  This will provide a non-threatening opportunity for other educators to learn about the issues and what they can do to make a difference.

ADVOCATE FOR STAFF TRAINING

Work with your principal or administrator to obtain training for staff on the school experiences of LGBT student and anti-LGBT bullying and harassment.  Find community organizations that can provide training resources to your school, such as an LGBT community center or a local GLSEN chapter.

GIVE A PRESENTATION TO SCHOOL STAFF

If possible, secure some time during a school staff meeting to discuss the issue of anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment.  Provide staff with information about the problem and ideas for how to handle it.