Ask A Queer Educator

Teaching While Queer, Season 2, Episode 26

Navigating the crossroads of identity and profession can be a labyrinth for queer educators, but Autumn Sundt, a non-binary lesbian and beacon of insight, guides us through the twists and turns in our latest conversation. Their story unfolds like a map of self-discovery, highlighting the evolution of personal identity within an often rigid educational landscape. From the shadow of language deficits in defining queerness to the luminescence of embracing their true self, Autumn's candid reflection on sexuality's fluidity and the challenges of body dysphoria illuminates the path for others walking similar journeys.

The classroom can be a battleground for visibility, where the lines between teaching and personal identity blur into a spectrum of experiences. Autumn and I explore the subtleties of discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ educators, from the whisper of homophobia among colleagues to the roar of censorship threatening job security. By threading the delicate balance between authenticity and safety, we offer tailored advice for new queer teachers while also emphasizing the power of allyship within the school community. This episode is a clarion call for recognition and support, acknowledging that the neutrality in the face of right and wrong is not an option when the stakes are our very identities and values as educators.

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