Teach Out Proposal

     For my final project, I would like to teach out the concepts of Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G.Johnson in combination with Safe Spaces--Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth by Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August and Megan S. Kennedy.  As a school nurse, my focus will be on educating parents and or teachers on how to address gender identity issues in elementary school aged children.  This will be done by designing an educational pamphlet/booklet which can be used as a reference.  It will be a guide to support the parents and or teachers of children/students with gender identity issues and assists them in supporting their children/student's gender expression choices in a way that is positive, mindful and sympathetic.  In the words of Johnson:  "A trouble we can't talk about is a trouble we can't do anything about."  This may be a way to open up dialogue, discussion on what some may consider to be a sensitive and controversial topic.  Johnson also states:  "We must say the words."  The booklet will contain terms (words) with definitions one should know related to the gender spectrum.  Gender roles and stereotypes will be addressed.  The question of how to know if your child is transgender or just not pushing back on stereotypes will be answered.  Tips on creating a safe space in the home or classroom will be listed.  A list of resources will be provided.
     Privilege, Power and Difference by Allan G. Johnson discusses the fact that we need to use the words in order to actually talk about a problem.  One must name a problem in order to effectively deal with the problem.  The significance of a name such as racism or sexism brings attention to it.  In the introduction, Johnson states:  "the purpose is to change how we think so that we can change how we act, and by changing how we participate in the world, become part of the complex dynamic through which the world itself will change."  If we change our thought process on gender identity and what we perceive gender to be, the world in which we live will accommodate that change and perhaps be a welcoming and safe place for all.
     Safe Spaces -- Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth by Vaccarro, August and Kennedy discusses that what happens inside the classroom walls is charged with emotion and shapes the attitudes and ideologies that will have physical and psychological consequences for all youth especially LGBT youth.  They discuss how educators can validate the experiences of LGBT youth by reinforcing inclusionary attitudes and beliefs.  The authors discuss the role of curriculum and communication throughout the education process and the need for it to include LGBT people.  LGBT students and their families need to see themselves, their perspectives and experiences represented in literature, history and mathematics as a step towards creating safe classrooms. Another step is for educators to be comfortable using the words inside the classroom walls that validates the LGBT experience.