Breaking the Silence to Support LGBTQ Students

Location

Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall

Description

PURPOSE: Research reveals that many educators enter the teaching profession unprepared to support and create an inclusive environment for their LGBTQ students. Faced with harassment and victimization in schools, sexual minority youth are especially susceptible to substance abuse, poor academic achievement and mental health issues including depression and suicidality. PROCEDURES: Literature suggests that during a time when sexual minority students are coming out in greater numbers and younger than ever before, secondary school educators need additional training and knowledge in order to support this population, as well as several suggested approaches to achieve this. OUTCOME: This project is a professional development workshop that is intended to challenge educators’ attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals, increase their knowledge base surrounding this student population and provide them with tools needed to support sexual minority students. IMPACT: Results will be assessed through the implementation of a pre-test given before participating in the professional development to gauge educators’ initial LGBTQ knowledge and comfort supporting this population of youth. A follow up assessment will be administered three months after the workshop to measure change in teachers’ LGBTQ-related attitudes, behaviors and knowledge. With more involvement and support from educators, sexual minority students will achieve greater academic success and experience an overall healthier wellbeing.

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Apr 2nd, 3:30 PM

Breaking the Silence to Support LGBTQ Students

Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall

PURPOSE: Research reveals that many educators enter the teaching profession unprepared to support and create an inclusive environment for their LGBTQ students. Faced with harassment and victimization in schools, sexual minority youth are especially susceptible to substance abuse, poor academic achievement and mental health issues including depression and suicidality. PROCEDURES: Literature suggests that during a time when sexual minority students are coming out in greater numbers and younger than ever before, secondary school educators need additional training and knowledge in order to support this population, as well as several suggested approaches to achieve this. OUTCOME: This project is a professional development workshop that is intended to challenge educators’ attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals, increase their knowledge base surrounding this student population and provide them with tools needed to support sexual minority students. IMPACT: Results will be assessed through the implementation of a pre-test given before participating in the professional development to gauge educators’ initial LGBTQ knowledge and comfort supporting this population of youth. A follow up assessment will be administered three months after the workshop to measure change in teachers’ LGBTQ-related attitudes, behaviors and knowledge. With more involvement and support from educators, sexual minority students will achieve greater academic success and experience an overall healthier wellbeing.