Shows
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeI Don’t Want Your Kid to Be Gay—Here’s What I Actually Want | Ep. 204 (with Christian Shearhod)What does LGBTQ inclusive teaching actually look like in real classrooms—not theory, not policy, but day-to-day practice? This episode explores how queer pedagogy and inclusive teaching show up through kindness, boundaries, and honest conversations with students.Bryan Stanton sits down with educator Christian Shearhod to talk about what it means to create inclusive classrooms in a time when even basic respect feels politicized. From teaching consent and boundaries to navigating parent pressure and online backlash, this conversation stays grounded in what students actually need.In this episode, you’ll learn: How to te...
2026-04-3033 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeSafe Space Stickers Aren’t Enough: The Truth About Allyship in Classrooms | Ep. 203 (with Shelby Hall Denney)What does LGBTQ inclusive teaching actually look like beyond posters and policies? This episode digs into the real work of building inclusive classrooms through queer pedagogy, lived experience, and practical strategies educators can use right now.Bryan sits down with Shelby Hall Denney from PFLAG NYC’s Safe Schools program to unpack what it means to move from performative allyship to meaningful classroom inclusion. From navigating policy confusion to supporting LGBTQ students through authentic representation, this conversation stays grounded in the realities educators face every day.In this episode, you’ll learn: How t...
2026-04-2335 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeStart with Kindness: How Queer Educators Build Inclusive College ClassroomsIn this episode of Queering Education, Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with Emilia (she/her), a graduate teaching assistant and first-year PhD student at the University of California Davis, to talk about discovering your teaching identity while navigating queerness, accessibility, and classroom culture.Emilia reflects on her journey from the U.S. South to a more affirming academic space, and how that shift shaped her approach to teaching. Together, they explore what it means to build classrooms rooted in kindness, trauma-informed practices, and genuine inclusion—not just as theory, but as daily practice.In th...
2026-04-0935 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeHow Queer Teachers Teach Inclusivity When They're Not Sure What They're Allowed To Say | Ep. 200 (with Bryan Stanton)In this solo episode, Bryan Stanton (they/them) walks through what inclusive teaching actually looks like when policies feel vague, pressure is real, and every classroom decision carries weight. This isn’t theory—it’s what you can do tomorrow to support students while staying grounded in your professional role.If you’ve ever found yourself editing your language, second-guessing your curriculum, or wondering what might come back to you later, this episode offers a clear, practical path forward rooted in design, consistency, and educator reality.In this episode, you’ll learn:Simple language shifts tha...
2026-04-0217 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeThis Is Not a Culture War This Is How Students Learn | Ep. 199 (with Bryan Stanton)What if inclusive education isn’t political—or optional—but necessary for learning itself?In this solo episode, Bryan Stanton (they/them) breaks down what’s actually happening in education right now and reframes inclusion as a core pedagogical issue, not a cultural debate. From Universal Design for Learning to culturally responsive teaching and queer pedagogy, this episode connects theory to real classroom practice—without losing sight of the risks many educators are navigating.If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to “add inclusion” on top of everything else, this episode offers a different lens: on...
2026-03-2614 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeHow Glisten Supports LGBTQ+ Students: Resources for Teachers and GSAs | Ep. 198 (with Damon Carbajal)In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with Damon Carbajal (he/el), Director of Chapter Network and Program Integration at Glisten, to talk about the resources available to educators who want to better support LGBTQ+ students.From lesson plans and GSA support to affirming book programs and national student initiatives, Damon shares how Glisten is evolving to meet the needs of today’s classrooms. The conversation also explores the organization’s recent name change, the upcoming National School Climate Survey update, and why the shif...
2026-03-1922 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeThe Past Is Always Present: Bringing Queer History to Life in the Classroom | Ep. 197 (with Deb Fowler from History UnErased)In this episode, host Bryan Stanton talks with Deb Fowler about the work of History UnErased, a nonprofit bringing LGBTQ+ history into K–12 classrooms through primary sources, theater, and creative learning.Deb shares how their project “The Past Is Always Present” helps students explore LGBTQ+ history through original plays, music, and improv exercises grounded in real historical documents. The result? Students aren’t just memorizing facts—they’re analyzing history, embodying historical figures, and discovering stories many educators never learned themselves.You’ll also hear about classroom-ready resources, tea...
2026-03-1226 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeQueering Research: Studying Bisexual Identity, Violence, and Academic Resistance | Ep. 196 (with Katherine Bogen)In this episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) talks with Katherine Bogen (she/her), a sixth-year doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Nebraska. Katherine’s work focuses on bisexual identity, experiences of violence, and how disclosure impacts relationships and healing. She shares what it means to conduct “me-search” that honors queer lived experience—and what it felt like when federal DEI funding cuts abruptly canceled her NIH-funded research grant.The conversation explores bisexual stigma, institutional cowardice around anti-DEI policies, and why queer educators and researchers must continue documenting their communities—even when...
2026-03-0547 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeSafe Isn't Enough: Why LGBTQ+ Educators Matter More Than Ever | Ep. 195 (with Dr. Michael Sadowski)In this powerful conversation, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) speaks with Michael Sadowski about what it means to be an out educator—from coming out in job interviews in the 1990s to researching queer youth, GSAs, and the limits of “safe schools.”Michael shares his journey from theater to teaching, launching a GSA in Massachusetts, earning his doctorate, and writing extensively about LGBTQ+ youth, identity development, and education. Together, they explore what’s changed for queer students and educators, what hasn’t, and why “safe” simply isn’t enough anymore.In this episode, you’ll learn:What it...
2026-02-2642 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeTeaching While Queer in a Shifting Policy Climate | Ep. 194 (with Bryan Stanton)In this solo episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) reflects on what it means to teach while queer during a moment of shifting protections, contested policies, and public scrutiny around trans inclusion in schools. As headlines intensify, so does the pressure on LGBTQ+ educators—who often find themselves acting as both teacher and shield.But this episode isn’t just about turbulence. It’s about momentum. Brian shares why they believe queer educators are on the precipice of something powerful: deeper collaboration, stronger networks, and community-built change. This conversation is a reminder that survival is not th...
2026-02-1912 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeMental Health, Queer Visibility, and Professional Risk in Education | Ep. 193 (with Dr. Clark Ausloos)In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) is joined by February Educator of the Month Dr. Clark Ausloos (he/him) for a deeply grounded conversation about the intersection of education, mental health, and queer identity.Dr. Ausloos shares what it looks like to teach future counselors while navigating political pressure, professional ethics, and the emotional labor of showing up authentically in higher education. Together, Bryan and Clark unpack belonging versus boundaries, privilege and risk, and why small moments of care can matter more than grand gestures.In...
2026-02-1250 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeWorking with Immigrant and Refugee Students While Queer | Ep. 192 (with Alejandro Aristizabal)Live from the Creating Change Conference in Washington, D.C., Bryan sits down with Alejandro, a youth program assistant with Foundation Communities in Austin, Texas. Together, they explore what it means to be an openly gay educator working with immigrant and refugee youth in a state where policy often conflicts with inclusion.Alejandro shares his path from reluctant teacher to joyful mentor, how his queerness shows up in small but powerful ways, and why community and creativity sustain him—even when the world feels unsafe.Listeners will learn:...
2026-02-0545 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticePastoral Care, Student Trust, and Queer Visibility in Schools | Ep. 191 (with Danny Walker-Drake)What does it actually look like to be an out queer educator—and just do your job?In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Brian Stanton talks with Danny Walker-Drake, a behavior support manager at a large secondary school in southwest England, about pastoral care, student trust, and why authenticity doesn’t have to be a big announcement. Broadcasting from the Creating Change Conference, this conversation centers relationships, boundaries, humor, and the reality of working with young people as whole humans.In this episode, listeners will learn:How queerness can show up n...
2026-01-2941 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeThe future really is queer: How Queer Educator Representation Impacts Students | Ep. 190 (with Julia Lathin)In this episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) talks with Julia Lathin (she/her), a lesbian art teacher in Los Angeles, about the evolution of her teaching—from closeted survival in a Michigan Catholic school with a morality clause, to building affirming, creative classrooms for queer youth in California.Listeners will learn:What it meant to teach under a “morality clause” while hiding key parts of her identityHow one small phrase—“pick a better word”—became a lifelong teaching mantraPractical ways to create safe, affirming art classroomsWhat happens when admin support is missing—and wh...
2026-01-2250 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeSix Promises for Queer Educators in 2026 | Ep. 187 (with Bryan Stanton)In this New Year continuation of the December 25th reflection, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) turns from reflection to direction. This solo episode names six promises—practices, boundaries, and strategies—for queer educators in 2026, and closes with a powerful New Year’s blessing rooted in the realities of today’s classrooms.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to define success beyond survival.Ways to bring queer truth into curriculum safely and meaningfully.What sustainable visibility looks like for educators under scrutiny.How to interrupt bias and harm in real time.Why joy, bound...
2026-01-0116 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeEducate, Advocate, Celebrate: What Queer Educators Built in 2025 | Ep. 186 (with Bryan Stanton)This year, queer educators didn’t just survive — we built something that can outlast the moment. 🌈 In this reflective solo episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) revisits the major themes that shaped 2025 for LGBTQ+ teachers: quiet resistance, authentic storytelling, and the radical act of joy. From the Teaching While Queer Educators Conference to episodes that redefined advocacy, Bryan invites listeners to pause, reflect, and name the impact they’ve made — even when no one was watching.This episode is for every LGBTQ+ educator, school counselor, or ally who needs a reminder that strategy and community—not perfection—ar...
2025-12-2517 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeWhen “Inclusion” Means Erasure: Decolonizing Holiday Practices in Schools | Ep. 185 (with Bryan Stanton)This episode is for educators — especially queer teachers, principals, and school leaders — who care deeply about real inclusion and belonging. Bryan Stanton (they/them) unpacks how well-intentioned “inclusive” classroom practices often end up reinforcing Christian dominance, sidelining Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, and secular families. Together, we’ll examine how public schools perpetuate cultural erasure under the banner of “neutrality,” and what authentic pluralism can look like in action.You’ll Learn:How “inclusive” school traditions often reinforce Christian cultural normsWhy neutrality isn’t neutral — and how law, culture, and faith intersect in public schoolsWhat exclusion looks like for Jewish, Muslim...
2025-12-1120 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeHow Music Educators Can Build Queer-Inclusive Classrooms | Ep. 184 (with Dr. Justin Caithaml) For music and performing arts educators striving to create affirming spaces for every student — this episode is for you. Bryan (they/them) sits down with Dr. Justin Caithaml) (they/them), Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Bridgeport, to explore how gender, sexuality, and policy intersect in the music classroom. Together, they unpack how queer educators can balance authenticity, safety, and advocacy — both for themselves and their students.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to design inclusive classroom “policies” — from pronouns to physical space to performance practicesWhy separating imagined harm from actual harm matters...
2025-12-0448 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeHow Queer Educators Can Interrupt Bias & Model Brave Conversations | Ep. 183 (with Sean McGill)This episode is for teachers, school leaders, and DEI facilitators who want to create more inclusive classrooms while navigating fear, burnout, and systemic bias. Bryan (they/them) talks with Sean McGill (he/him) — a Chicago-based educator, anti-bias facilitator, and doctoral researcher — about what it means to teach, train, and show up authentically as a queer man across classrooms, police academies, and digital spaces.Listeners will learn how to:Interrupt bias in real time — even when you don’t know exactly what to sayModel queer authenticity safely in K–12 and adult learning environmentsBuild plans for bias response b...
2025-11-2052 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeHow Queer Librarians Can Lead on Inclusive Literacy | Ep. 182 (with Bec Anderson)This episode is for school librarians, elementary educators, and district leaders who want to create truly inclusive and affirming library spaces—without fear or burnout. Bryan (they/them) sits down with Bec Anderson (they/them), a nonbinary librarian from Kansas, to talk about what “Reading the Rainbow” really means, how librarians can push back against book bans, and why visibility matters in small communities.Key Takeaways:How to build a library collection that mirrors your students’ lived experiencesPractical ways to make queer and diverse representation visible in subtle, safe waysThe power of book choice as a pathwa...
2025-11-1335 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeBeyond Allyship — Language, Courage, and Co-Conspiracy | Ep. 181 (with Françoise Thenoux)What does real allyship look like when the stakes are high? In this powerful episode, Bryan (they/them/elle) talks with Françoise Thenoux (she/ella) — also known as @TheWokeSpanishTeacher — about how educators can move from performative allyship to courageous co-conspiracy through inclusive, non-binary Spanish language and classroom practices.🌈 You’ll hear:How non-binary and gender-neutral Spanish is reshaping classrooms across the AmericasWhy true allyship requires risk, courage, and communityPractical steps for educators to create linguistically and queer-affirming spacesThe story of one student who changed Françoise’s entire approach to teachingThis episod...
2025-11-0639 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeFaith, Identity & Burnout – A Gay Educator’s Journey in Catholic Schools | Ep. 180 (with Bill Hulseman)What does it mean to be a queer teacher in a faith-based school? In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with author and ritual designer Bill Hulseman (he/him) to explore his path from Catholic school teacher to educational leader to full-time ritualist and writer.• Navigating authenticity and inclusion as a gay man in Catholic education• How ritual, faith, and teaching intersect to shape culture and community• Lessons on burnout, conscience, and leaving the classroom with integrity• The story behind Bill’s new book Carry...
2025-10-3053 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeStories Are Strategy – Reflections from the Queer Educators Conference | Ep. 179 (with Host Bryan Stanton)In this special episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) reflects on the inaugural Teaching While Queer Educators Conference, held on October 11, 2025—a global gathering of queer educators, allies, and advocates transforming education through authenticity and collective care.• “Belonging isn’t just entering the room—it’s redesigning it.” • How storytelling became a tool for organizing, resistance, and liberation • Lessons from sessions on union power, media strategy, and affirming visibility • Why cultural shifts must come before policy shifts—and how to make both happen • The joy, kinship, and courag...
2025-10-2309 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeTeaching Truth in Dangerous Times: Queer History, Resistance, and Radical Hope | Ep. 178 (with Rodney C. Wilson)“I had to become a fully integrated person—same at home, same in class, same everywhere—or I couldn’t keep teaching.”In this powerful conversation, Bryan sits down with Rodney Wilson, the Missouri educator who founded LGBTQ+ History Month and made history as the first openly gay K–12 Missouri teacher to come out to his students. Together, they unpack the intersections of queer identity, teaching, and resistance—from the origins of LGBTQ+ History Month to the modern-day fight against censorship and “Don’t Say Gay” laws.Listeners will learn:How queer teachers...
2025-10-0943 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeSix Ways Queer Teachers Can Protect Their Energy and Stay in the Classroom | Ep. 175 (with Host Bryan Stanton)Self-care isn’t bubble baths — for queer teachers, it’s survival in a world trying to push us out of classrooms. In this solo episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) lays out what authentic, practical self-care looks like for LGBTQ+ educators navigating burnout, political attacks, and the daily emotional labor of being visible in schools.You’ll learn:Six concrete self-care strategies queer teachers can use in under five minutesHow to set boundaries and say no without guiltWhy self-care is not a luxury but an act of survival, sustaina...
2025-09-2316 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeJoy Is Resistance How Queer Teachers Are Building a Movement | Ep. 174 (with Host Bryan Stanton)Celebration is advocacy—and when queer educators gather, we refuse to be erased. In this solo episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) shares everything you need to know about the upcoming Teaching While Queer Queer Educators Conference 2025, happening October 11th, National Coming Out Day.This isn’t just another professional development event—it’s a day of community, courage, and celebration where queer teachers, allies, and advocates come together to educate, advocate, and sustain joy.In this episode you’ll hear:Why National Coming Out Day is the perfect moment for...
2025-09-1126 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeTeaching the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as Queer Resistance | Ep. 173 (with Host Bryan Stanton)Queer educators are not just teaching the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—they’re living it, every time they step into the classroom.This episode is for every teacher who’s ever asked, “How do I teach justice when my own visibility feels at risk?”We dive into the power of teaching the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) through a queer lens. This episode explores how LGBTQ+ teachers bring human rights to life in schools, bridging history, advocacy, and daily classroom realities.Listeners will hear stories and strategies that connect qu...
2025-08-2812 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice170. Start the Year Queer: Real Back-to-School Strategies for LGBTQ+ Teachers“You don’t have to be perfect to be inclusive—just keep trying, keep listening, and keep loving your students fiercely.”Back-to-school season is here, and for queer teachers, the first weeks can feel like both an opportunity and a battleground. In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) shares proven strategies to create a classroom where every LGBTQ+ student—and every teacher—can show up as their full self.Drawing on antiracist, culturally responsive, and queer-affirming pedagogy, Bryan covers:How to set the tone for trust, s...
2025-08-0513 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice169. When the World Says "No" Queer Teachers Should Queer Everything!Queerness isn’t just what we are—it’s how we teach, breathe, and survive, even when the world tries to shut us down.In this solo recap, Bryan Stanton (they/them) unpacks Maya Gonzalez’s transformative approach to education, creativity, and queer resilience—rooted in four decades of lived experience as a queer femme artist, educator, and creator of the Gender Wheel. Whether you’re a queer teacher, LGBTQ+ ally, or navigating pushback in education, this episode is your roadmap to queering every corner of your classroom and life.You’ll walk away with:...
2025-07-3119 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice169. When the World Says "No" Queer Teachers Should Queer Everything!Queerness isn’t just what we are—it’s how we teach, breathe, and survive, even when the world tries to shut us down.In this solo recap, Bryan Stanton (they/them) unpacks Maya Gonzalez’s transformative approach to education, creativity, and queer resilience—rooted in four decades of lived experience as a queer femme artist, educator, and creator of the Gender Wheel. Whether you’re a queer teacher, LGBTQ+ ally, or navigating pushback in education, this episode is your roadmap to queering every corner of your classroom and life.You’ll walk away with:...
2025-07-1919 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice165. Affirming LGBTQ+ Students Means More than Just Surviving Right Now“If we’re surpassing the safety of children to satisfy community attitudes, then we’re failing—period.”This episode of Teaching While Queer dives deep into the lived realities of queer teachers and LGBTQ+ allies fighting for truly inclusive schools in 2025. Drawing on Bryan’s conversation with Josh Qua, a queer educator and special education coordinator in New Orleans, we tackle the urgent need for radical empathy, queer visibility, and defending the power of choice—especially as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and book bans sweep the country.In this episode, queer educators and allies will:...
2025-07-1718 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice159. Teaching While Queer Is a Lifeline, Not a LiabilityYour authenticity is not small—it’s a radical act of defiance.In this heartfelt solo episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) reflects on five transformative lessons from their conversation with queer icon Jeffrey Marsh. Together, they explore what it means to teach with joy, show the seams of your process, and create classrooms that radically affirm LGBTQ+ identity. For queer educators and LGBTQ+ teachers navigating visibility, vulnerability, and resistance, this episode is a love letter and a roadmap.You’ll walk away with:Emotional and spiritual tools to disman...
2025-06-2619 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice158. The Cruel Things They Say Mean Nothing to Healed LGBTQ+ Teachers“You’re not doing a little podcast—what you do is not little.”In this heartfelt Pride Month episode, host Bryan Stanton and viral educator Jeffrey Marsh dive into what it means to teach, live, and lead while queer—especially in a world that seems to both need us and fear us. This episode is a love letter to LGBTQ+ teachers navigating doxing, isolation, and the politicization of their existence.Learn how queer educators can show up authentically, even when it’s not safe to come outExplore how joy in the classroom is a radical...
2025-06-241h 01
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice157. Quiet Resistance, Loud Impact: Queer Teacher Visibility in Hostile SchoolsYou don’t have to wave a flag to be radical—but you do have to survive. In this special solo episode, host Bryan Stanton shares five transformative takeaways from his conversation with Jed Dearybury—LGBTQ+ educator, illustrator, and champion of joy in South Carolina schools. This is for every queer teacher navigating visibility, safety, and joy under pressure.In this episode, you will:Learn how “quiet” queer pedagogy can be just as powerful as loud pride.Understand the mental health toll of being out—and the tools to survive it.Discover why play, joy, and small da...
2025-06-1911 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice155. Queer Educators Are Done Waiting for Permission to Be SeenPride Month ends—but your queerness doesn’t.For queer educators, June often brings rainbow logos and empty gestures—while silence reigns inside the school walls. In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) digs deep into what it means to reclaim Pride as a daily practice of resistance, authenticity, and survival.You’ll learn:How to transform performative Pride into meaningful daily visibilityPractical steps for building inclusive classrooms without burning outWhy sharing your story might be the most radical thing you do this year
2025-06-1208 min
Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child at School and Home46: How to Be an Ally to Queer Educators and Students with Bryan StantonSend us Fan MailIn this interview episode, Bryan Stanton (chair of "Teaching While Queer," a not-for-profit organization) shares the importance of allyship even when it feels scary or uncomfortable. "But how can I be an ally?," you ask?! Listen as Bryan shares the importance of visual signals, asking about pronouns, checking in on queer students, creating space for queer educators, preserving accurate history (i.e., NOT banning books), listening to understand, and attending professional development focused on how to be an ally to queer educators and how to nurture LGBTQ students.Speaking of professional...
2025-06-101h 18
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice153. How Queer Educators Can Reclaim Pride as a Daily Practice Even When Schools Stay SilentPride Month can feel hollow when your school ignores your existence. For queer educators, visibility isn’t just a celebration—it’s survival. In this episode, Bryan Stanton (they/them) unpacks how to reclaim Pride as a purposeful, daily practice when your institution stays silent.With both tenderness and tenacity, Bryan speaks directly to queer teachers navigating erasure, fear, and exhaustion. This isn’t about performative allyship or rainbow logos—it’s about how to live and teach with authenticity in the face of resistance. In this episode, you will:Learn how to center Pr...
2025-06-0510 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice151. 5 Simple Shifts to Transform your Classroom into a Queer-Affirming SpaceWhat if just five small shifts could radically change how your students feel seen, safe, and celebrated in your classroom? In this episode of Teaching While Queer, Bryan Stanton breaks down five transformative practices inspired by his powerful interview with theater educator Tim Cusick.These aren't abstract theories—they're real, actionable changes that can turn any classroom into a queer-affirming environment. From embracing vulnerability to challenging outdated norms, each shift is designed to deepen trust, encourage expression, and center student identity.In this episode, you will:Learn how modeling vu...
2025-05-2909 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice149. The Hidden Power of Queer Joy in EducationWhat if the most radical thing you could bring into your classroom isn’t resistance—but joy? In this celebration-filled episode of Teaching While Queer, Bryan Stanton flips the script on traditional trauma narratives in education and makes the case for joy as a transformative force in queer pedagogy.Too often, we focus solely on surviving oppressive systems. But what happens when we center laughter, glitter, and connection instead? Bryan explores the power of queer joy as both strategy and sanctuary. From classroom anecdotes to affirming research, you’ll hear why joy isn't fluff—it's foundational.
2025-05-2215 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice148. Stop Praising Resilience: How It’s Killing Queer EducatorsWhat if praising queer educators for being “resilient” is actually just another way to keep them exhausted and unsupported? In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton pulls back the curtain on the myth of resilience — especially for queer educators who are trans, nonbinary, BIPOC, or multiply marginalized. Through personal stories, critical insights, and tangible strategies, Bryan invites listeners to reclaim rest as a radical, necessary act of self-preservation. In this episode, you will:Learn how resilience culture can mask systemic neglect of queer educators.Disc...
2025-05-2011 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice147: 3 Ways Queer Educators Can Build Safe Classrooms With Their Story & IdentityAre you a queer educator struggling to balance authenticity with classroom safety—and wondering if sharing your story can actually build trust?In this episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) explores how embracing your queer identity and personal narrative can create safer, more inclusive learning environments—without putting yourself at risk. Drawing inspiration from educator and paranormal medium Rob Gutro, you'll learn how story, strategy, and self-awareness can transform your teaching practice.In this episode, you will:Discover how selective storytelling can foster trust and connection with students.Learn practical ways to asse...
2025-05-1508 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice145. Why “Self-Care” Is Failing Queer Educators—and What Real Support Looks LikeWhat if the people building safe spaces in schools are the ones who feel the least safe?In this deeply personal episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) explores the emotional and professional toll of being a queer educator in a system not designed to protect—or even acknowledge—you. If you’ve ever felt like teaching as your full self comes at a cost, this episode will resonate hard.In this episode, you will: Hear real, raw stories from LGBTQ+ educators navigating burnout, invisibility, and unsafe school environments.Learn how system...
2025-05-0809 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice135. 3 Strategies Queer Teachers Can Use To Advocate For Inclusion Without Risking Their JobsCan LGBTQ+ teachers truly be themselves in the classroom? Despite progress, many still face discrimination, fear, and pushback when advocating for inclusion.In this episode of Teaching While Queer, Bryan Stanton recaps an eye-opening conversation with Greg R. Baird, a longtime educator and activist. Greg shares his personal experiences navigating the education system as a gay teacher, the resistance he faced when launching a GSA, and how he’s adapted his advocacy to keep pushing for change. If you’re a queer educator, an ally, or someone passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, this episode is packed with insi...
2025-04-0309 min
JUST DO YOU.S1E39 Bryan Stanton - Teacher of the Year ... While QueerJoin me this week as I sit down with Bryan Stanton, an award winning visionary in theatre education based in the Bronx, New York, who is dedicated to creating dynamic and impactful learning experiences for educators and students alike.During our time together he shares about his own personal journey to finding his authenticity AND voice, and how he is committed to living a powerful, out and proud life as an educator, singer, actor, Queer Theorist ... AND an amazing dad to his 4 children. Given the current climate in our country with teachers and students alike under attack, Br...
2024-12-0551 minQueering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom PracticeHow to Respond When K.A.L. “Kill All Lesbians” is Posted in Schools as An LGBTQ EducatorAsk A Queer EducatorEver wondered what it's like to be an educator embracing their true identity while navigating through the complexities of teaching? Dive into this episode with Rebecca Creasy as she shares her journey from late-life queerness to creating safe spaces for diverse students.In this episode, Rebecca Creasy, an ESL teacher in Pittsburgh, discusses her journey of self-discovery and the challenges of coming out while teaching in a diverse, multicultural setting. Her insights shed light on the importance of visibility and acceptance in educational environments, especially for LGBTQ+ students.Through...
2024-08-0730 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice59. Breaking Stereotypes: Trans Advocacy in SchoolsAsk A Queer EducatorWhat does it mean to teach while queer? Join host Bryan Stanton as he dives into the stories of transgender educators paving the way for inclusivity in academia.In a world where LGBTQIA+ rights and representation remain a pressing issue, the journey of transgender educators provides critical insights into navigating challenges and fostering inclusive educational spaces.In this episode you will:Gain actionable strategies for promoting gender inclusivity in educational setti...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in...
2024-06-1307 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice52. The Language of Queer Advocacy in EducationAsk A Queer EducatorHave you ever considered how personal experiences shape professional paths? Join us as Damon shares his journey from navigating queer identity to advocating for inclusivity in education.Damon's story resonates with the challenges many LGBTQ+ individuals face in educational settings, from early memories of bullying to advocating for policy change in universities. His insights shed light on how personal adversity fuels a passion for equity and diversity in education today.In...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in...
2024-05-021h 02
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice51. The Art of LGBTQ Inclusion in Schools and the Journey of a Queer Theatre EducatorAsk A Queer EducatorEver wondered how being a queer educator shapes your teaching approach? Dive into Brandon Box-Higdem's journey from coming out in 1993 to creating a safe space in classrooms today.Brandon Box-Higdem's experience as a queer educator in Arkansas highlights the challenges and triumphs of navigating a complex educational landscape amidst societal and legislative changes.In this episode you will:Gain insights into how personal identity influences teaching methods and classroom ...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in education, ed...
2024-04-2556 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice50. 3 Strategies for LGBTQ Educators During School InterviewsAsk A Queer EducatorEver wondered how your identity impacts your career? Join Steph, a career coach specializing in LGBTQ+ and underrepresented groups, as she reveals the secrets to navigating workplaces authentically.In today’s world, where inclusivity and authenticity are more valued than ever, understanding how to integrate your identity into your career can make or break your professional journey. Steph shares her personal journey as a queer individual navigating high school and beyond, s...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans repr...
2024-04-1839 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice49. Journeys in Authentic Queer Advocacy in EducationAsk A Queer EducatorAre you curious about the challenges and triumphs of being openly queer in a school setting? Join us as Zachary Zahand shares his journey from private preschool to middle school theater, revealing how embracing his identity reshaped his teaching career.In today's educational landscape, creating inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ students remains a critical yet evolving goal. Zachary's experience underscores the transformative power of visibility and acceptance, offering insights ...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in education, educator bu...
2024-04-1149 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice48. Charting the Course of Queer Education: Advocacy, LGBTQ Inclusivity in Schools, and the Resilient Journey of a EducatorAsk A Queer EducatorEver wondered how educators can authentically integrate their queer identity into the classroom? Join us as Nicky Meindl, a middle school special education teacher, shares their journey of self-discovery and how they navigate being non-binary and queer in a school environment.In today's world, understanding and accepting diverse identities is crucial, yet many educators struggle with how to authentically express their queer identities in school settings. Nicky's experience...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in education, educator bu...
2024-04-0439 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice47. Advocation for Queer-Inclusive Education: Building the House of Legends and Celebrating Identity in SchoolsAsk A Queer EducatorHave you ever wondered what it's like to navigate the education system as a queer educator? Join Andre, an adjunct professor and creator of House of Legends, as he shares his journey and insights in this compelling episode.In today's episode, Andre discusses the challenges he faced growing up in Catholic school, where he was constantly pushed to conform to traditional gender norms. His story sheds light on the importance of representation and support for LGBTQ+ students in...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. Th...
2024-03-2156 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice46. Out Isn’t Everything: Being a Closeted Queer Educator in Diverse SchoolsAsk A Queer EducatorEver wondered how being openly queer can shape a teacher's journey in the classroom? Discover a candid conversation with Anonymous (he/him), a seasoned orchestra educator, as he shares his unique perspective.In this episode, we delve into how a gay cisgendered man navigates teaching in the Southwestern United States, blending personal identity with professional life. He discusses challenges like addressing queer stereotypes among students and finding balance between person...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in ed...
2024-03-1447 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice45. Illuminating the Queer Educator's Journey: Identity, Challenges, and LGBTQ Visibility in SchoolsAsk A Queer EducatorEver wondered how being queer intersects with teaching high school science? Listen in as Autumn, a non-binary educator, shares their journey from discovering asexuality to embracing a non-binary identity.In today's episode, we explore Autumn's experience navigating identity discovery amidst teaching biology and forensic science. Their story sheds light on the challenges and rewards of being visibly queer in an educational setting, offering insights into the evolving landsc...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in education, educator bu...
2024-03-0744 min
Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice44. How Queer Spaces Create a Positive Impact on LGBTQ Elementary School StudentsAsk A Queer EducatorEver wondered how elementary school students navigate questions about gender and identity? Join us as we delve into a candid conversation with Anonymous, a dedicated school counselor running GSAs for elementary kids.In today's episode, we explore the crucial role of GSAs in elementary schools and how they provide a safe space for young queer students. With rising awareness around gender fluidity and LGBTQ+ rights, understanding these initiatives is more relevant than ever ...Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and tr...
2024-02-2954 min