Embracing the Challenge: SJ Janjua on Advocacy in Education and Being a Trans Educator

Teaching While Queer: Advocacy For LGBTQ Folks In Schools & Education To Live & Work As Your Authentic Self

Ask A Queer Educator

Teaching While Queer, Season 2, Episode 21
It takes a special kind of courage to navigate the educational field while embracing a queer identity, a truth SJ Janjua (they/them) and I know all too well. As we sit down for an open-hearted dialogue, our shared narrative unfolds, revealing the nuances of being queer, trans, non-binary educators. SJ, founder of Empowered for Equity Consulting, and I, Bryan Stanton, peel back the layers of our personal and professional journeys—discussing everything from our mixed-race backgrounds and the struggles of growing up feeling invisible to the profound impact these experiences have on our advocacy work.
The classroom can be a battlefield for identity, and creating spaces where one can teach authentically without fear is no small feat. Throughout our conversation, we celebrate the victories, lament the challenges, and offer practical wisdom for educators longing to foster inclusivity. From my transformation from a once-closeted high school English teacher to a champion for LGBTQ+ inclusion, to SJ's enlightening perspective on intersectionality and its crucial role in shaping educational experiences, we explore the joy of connecting with queer educator communities and the ever-present need for systemic change.
You won't just hear stories and reflections in this episode; we're here to equip and inspire. SJ and I share strategies and actionable advice for queer teachers trying to chart their path in an often-unforgiving profession—underlining the significance of allyship, legal protections, and the collective work needed to cultivate safer educational spaces. Together, we underscore the urgency for schools to take a bold stand, ensuring that support for 2SLGBTQ+ staff and students is not just a momentary gesture but a sustained, strategic effort. Join us as we affirm our mission to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in education, and consider this an invitation to engage and collaborate in this transformative endeavor.

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The podcast explores the challenges and successes of LGBTQ representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

פרקים

1. Embracing the Challenge: SJ Janjua on Advocacy in Education and Being a Trans Educator (00:00:00)

2. Teaching While Queer (00:00:05)

3. Creating Inclusive Spaces for Queer Teachers (00:11:35)

4. Challenges of Anti-Queer Behavior in Education (00:18:54)

5. Empowering Inclusive Education for LGBTQ+ Youth (00:29:31)

6. Advice for Queer Teachers on Inclusion (00:36:31)

7. Supporting Queer Teachers and Students (00:43:37)

8. Safer LGBTQ+ School Environments (00:52:14)