Safe Spaces

Inside the Classroom Walls

Quotes

In Safe Spaces: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth,  the authors goal is to inform us on ways that classrooms can actually be Safe Spaces for students who are LGBT.  

When growing up I don't remember many teachers speaking about families or people who identify as LGBT.  But I do remember that sometime in my education, one of my teacher's took a stand on those who would use the word gay or homo. When growing nobody really talked about this topic. Presently there has been more advocacy for people who are LGBT. But still is not accepted by many people. Currently there are some shows that advocate for LGBT families. Such as The Fosters on Abc Family and I am Jazz on TLC.

"Our classrooms need to be "mirrors and windows" for all students-- mirrors in which  youth see themselves in the curriculum and recognize their place in the group; windows through which youth see beyond themselves to experiences connected with, but not identical to, their own." 

The classroom is not only for learning about subjects but it is also about taking into account the diverse population we have. In schools we should take into account students background: sexuality, culture, etc. And in order for the students to be able to feel safe we should be able to bring these particular things, that make schools so diverse,  into our curriculum.  As teachers we should also be able to inform our students about these same things, that way students are not stuck on their reflection.

"...nearly 50 percent of transgender youth between the ages of 13 and 20 who participated in a National School Climate Survey reported skipping at least one class and an entire school day within the past month due to physical or emotional duress."

Half of these transgender students had to skip out on their education because they are different from all the other people.  Straightness is so engraved into our society that when people are different they are looked down upon.  Therefore bringing us back to SCWAAMP and the effect these have in those that do not fit into these specific norms. 

"Far from what the children's chant would have us believe, words are sticks and stones. And those sticks and stones can either build bridges or break bones."

I think this quote really goes with the theme of communication. As teachers and people, what we say can build someone or break someone. Although we are told to JUST BRUSH IT OFF in some situations words do hurt and affect people. Therefore as teachers we should use words cautiously, in order to help build those bridges and create a SAFE SPACE FOR STUDENTS TO GROW. 

In this text we can also see how straightness is valued. Those teacher who don't do anything or make fun of their LGBT students, think they're teaching students the culture of power or how to live in a society with these norm. But in reality they're teaching them how not to be different and "They teach their students the status quo."