Wanted: Your Expertise on Inclusive Ed Practices for Sexual and Gender Minority Students

ETFO teachers are being asked to participate in a new three-year study that will collect expertise on inclusive education practices for sexual and gender minority students.

Called the Every Teacher project, the study is being conducted by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and the University of Winnipeg, and is being supported by ETFO and other teacher affiliates. The project starts this fall with a confidential on-line survey which takes 15-20 minutes to complete. Participants then have the option to be involved in focus groups and interviews in 2013 and 2014.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Two-Spirit and questioning (LGBTQ) students, those with LGBTQ parents, heterosexual students who are homophobically bullied, and the 58% of heterosexual students who are distressed by homophobic elements of school culture all stand to benefit from these practices.

The survey will probe teacher participants on a range of issues such as: the effectiveness of school response to incidents of homophobic and transphobic harassment; threats to safety and safety measures; LGBTQ inclusive education practices that are supported by school staff, administration and leadership at division and board levels; and teacher motivations to engage in LGBTQ- inclusive education.

At each stage of the project, the results will be made known, and  there will be a website containing pedagogical and curricular recommendations as well as resources and FAQs. To participate in the project, go to http://fluidsurveys.com/s/every-teacher-survey/?collector+3106.