Education for Sustainable Democracy - Creating Inclusive Environments and Curricula for LGBTQ+ Youth, with Marc Lewis (R.J. Grey Junior High, Acton MA)

Creating Inclusive Environments and Curricula for LGBTQ+ Youth, with Marc Lewis (R.J. Grey Junior High, Acton MA)

02/01/22 • 64 min

How can educators create inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth? To explore this question, Brett speaks to a veteran middle school social studies teacher in Massachusetts, Marc Lewis, who has been enacting and experimenting with strategies and curricula to help all of his students feel welcome in his classroom – and to help them understand the complexity and truth of our world and its history.
In our conversation, Marc describes how he builds a trusting classroom community, how he physically designs his classroom, how he integrates LGBTQ+ history into his curriculum, how he shares his own identity as an openly gay man, and how he has responded to challenges related to these practices. Marc also describes a variety of resources (links below) that listeners can check out if they want to learn more about this type of work.
Marc Lewis holds a master's degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has taught social studies at R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton, Massachusetts, for over twenty years.
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LGBTQ+ Teaching Resources
We the Future Posters & Images
Learning for Justice Resources on Gender & Sexual Identity
Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Educator Network (GLSEN) Site
LGBTQ+ History Timeline (GLSEN)
Lesson Plan for LGBTQ+ History Timeline
Other Lesson Plans on LGBTQ+ Issues (GLSEN)
Inclusive Curriculum Guide (GLSEN)

ESD Podcast Resources:
Education for Sustainable Democracy Site
Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles
Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!)
ESD YouTube Channel (Please subscribe!)

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Previous Episode

Teaching about the Capitol Insurrection One Year Later (Brief Note about Helpful Resources)

How should educators teach about the first anniversary of the Capitol Insurrection? This mini-episode describes free online resources to help teachers who want their students to understand the important events of January 6th, 2021, and their significance. Below are links to these resources.
Teaching Resources
Facing History & Ourselves - Resources for Teaching the Insurrection
Generation Citizen - Resources for Teaching the Insurrection
More Relevant Resources from Facing History & Ourselves
National Council for the Social Studies - January 6th Teaching Resources
Kamala Harris's Speech on January 6, 2022 (9 minutes)
Joe Biden's Speech on January 6, 2022 (25 minutes)
House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack
Washington Post - What the Committee Has Done
CNN - Committee Talks to Trump Staffers
U.S. House Select Committee - Latest News
Prior ESD Episodes on the Capitol Insurrection
Teaching about the Capitol Riot - Context, Impacts, & Moving Forward, with James Hartwick (University of Wisconsin - Whitewater)
Teaching the Capitol Riot in a Politically Diverse Classroom, with Lauren Collet-Gildard (Arlington High School, NY)
More Educators' Perspectives
Newsweek - Teachers Uncertain How to Approach Issue
WUNC - North Carolina Teachers' Approaches

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Next Episode

Kid Citizen and Elementary Social Studies, with Michael and Ilene Berson (University of South Florida)

How should young children learn about their social world? How should elementary educators prepare students for life in a democratic society? What is Kid Citizen, and what can children learn from it?
In this episode, Brett talks to Professors Ilene and Michael Berson from the University of South Florida. They discuss their online civic education site, Kid Citizen, which includes activities and curricula to strengthen young children’s civic learning. In addition, they share their ideas and research on how elementary school children learn about their social world. You’ll also hear a bit about how the Bersons met, got married, and ended up working together.
Thanks for listening, subscribing, and sharing!
Links Related to KidCitizen
KidCitizen
Library of Congress Teachers
TPS Teachers Network
iCivics Exploring Primary Sources
Educating for American Democracy
Social Studies Innovation Network
About this Episode's Guests
Ilene R. Berson
Michael J. Berson