Blog #3: GLSEN (Reflection)
I was unaware that the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network is an accessible group and resource for anyone seeking guidance, a supportive community or research material. I am disappointed that there is not a Local Chapter for GLSEN in Rhode Island. I know that there is a group at my local high school (Cumberland High School) that LGBT students can join for a supportive environment. I recognize a couple of the groups and organizational activities such as The Day of Silence, Ally Week, and No-Name-Calling week. I wish that I had taken the time to show the students I went to high school with that I care and support them in their struggle for acceptance.
I remember my Sophomore year of high school was the first time the LGBT group participated in the Day of Silence. I do not remember there being a lot of advertisement or signs explaining what a “Day of Silence” meant before the event took place. The students participating in the event walked around school with a shirt that had the logo for a day of silence and duct tape on their mouths. Unfortunately I think the event was not as accepted as the LGBT student group thought it would be. I think it was due to the fact that the student population was not well informed before the event took place. I remember seeing students walk up to the LGBT students and ask them why they had duct tape on their mouths. When the students didn’t answer it was because they couldn’t, not that they didn’t want to give an explanation.
As a future educator I feel that training workshops for educators and community leaders should be part of the educators training to better prepare teachers to create a more accepting environment for all their students. I also support GLSEN’s Safe Space Campaign to place a Safe Space Kit resource in every middle and high school in the country. Its important to introduce to children at an early age that bullying and name calling is never acceptable behavior anywhere especially in school and will not be tolerated. I support the idea of No-Name-Calling week but I believe it is something that should take place in the classroom everyday.
Teaching in my own classroom no matter the grade level will hold many challenges for me but knowing that there are resources like GLSEN helps me feel better prepared for the difficult and challenging situations that I will face in the future.
Thinking Point: As a future educator what will you do in your classroom to educate your students about GLSEN or GLBT people?
My school had a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), and we also participated in the National Day of Silence. The results, however, were similar to yours, no one really know what was going on. I feel like there should have been an assembly, or papers handed out, or something explaining the event because I didn't know what it was for. Since our GSA was limited to a small number of students, the National Day of Silence hardly made an impact, mostly because no one understood the message. Looking back on the event, I wish it had been better broadcasted across the school, so that other students would understand and respect the meaning behind the event.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you comment Jess! I wish the kids had posted signs around the school and made it an open event that "supporters" could take part in. I feel as through the more information events like "Day of Silence" has there will hopefully be a better outcome as well as support from people who are not in the group. =)
ReplyDeletemy school did not participate in any activates like The Day of Silence, Ally Week, and No-Name-Calling week.i know if it had our school would had been a more enjoyable place and would of been more welcoming for students that did not want to attend our school district
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