For Educators
Educator Professional Development
What training does GLSEN Arizona offer?
GLSEN research shows that the presence of supportive educators can have a significant positive impact on LGBTQ students’ academic achievement, as well as on their psychological well-being and long-term educational aspirations. GLSEN Professional Development aims to empower educators to act in allyship with LGBTQ students.
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Our Professional Development Workshops assist educators in building the following skills:
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Knowledge of LGBTQ student experiences in school
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Understanding what allyship can provide for LGBTQ students
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Awareness of the prevalence of anti-LGBTQ language and behavior in schools
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Willingness and ability to intervene when anti-LGBTQ name-calling and bullying occurs
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Willingness and ability to utilize curriculum inclusive of LGBTQ people, history and themes
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Willingness to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ students and ensure safe schools for all
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Access to resources and referral
NOTE: For GLSEN Professional Development Workshops, the term “educator” includes, but is not limited to: Current or future K-12 Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Paraprofessionals, Librarians, Nurses, Bus Drivers, District Staff, School Resource Officers, Cafeteria Workers, etc.
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To find out how you can schedule a training for your District, email training@glsenarizona.org and our Community Training Specialist will be in touch.
GLSEN started as an organization that wanted to promote safety and affirmation for students who identify as LGBTQ. But their resources, their philosophies, their core values, and the skills they’re equipping all educators with actually transcend that.
Carla Rivera-Cruz, Founder and CEO of EDpiphany
Learn more about becoming a StoryBank Storyteller
Become A Trainer
Our PD trainings are led by our team of volunteer facilitators. All of our dedicated facilitators go through extensive training to ensure they bring knowledge, professionalism, and necessary information to your school. This extensive training starts with the TOT: the Training of Trainers. This weekend-long event serves as the entry point for GLSEN Arizona volunteers who are interested in our PD program. It includes not only an extensive review of GLSEN research and training materials but also hands-on practice and application of those materials so that all trainers feel confident facilitating trainings on how to make schools safer for LGBTQ+ students. If you are interested in becoming a trainer, please email training@glsenarizona.org.
A safe and affirming school means having teachers who will support students, and not just support them in private because they have to in order to keep their job. It means having openly supportive teachers in the classroom, who are also able to teach about LGBTQ history, queer writers, Black and brown and Indigenous writers. It means being able to tell the story as it should be and as it actually is, instead of holding people back because of their identities.
Yaiza Van Horn, GLSEN Phoenix Co-Chair
Learn more about becoming a StoryBank Storyteller.
Other Educator Opportunities
Supportive Educators Facebook Group
Our GLSEN Phoenix GSA Advisors & Supportive Educators Facebook Group is a great space to connect with other affirming educators in the Geater Phoenix-area and continue getting resources from GLSEN Arizona.
Inclusive Curriculum
If you want to learn how to create more inclusive lesson plans, check out the GLSEN guide: Developing LGBTQ+-Inclusive Classroom Resources. And be sure to check out our extensive library of lesson plans and activities for your classroom.
