Getting Ready for Benjamin
Preparing Teachers for Sexual Diversity in the Classroom
Contributions by Tim Bedford, Deborah P Berrill, Roger Brindley, Kevin P. Colleary, Steve Fifield, Michael Gard PhD, Senior Lecturer, Southern Cross University & University of Queensland, Karen Glasgow, Michelle Hoffner-Brodsky, Denise Hoffner-Brodsky, James R. King, Paula Kluth, Will Letts, Arthur Lipkin Chair, MA Commission on G, Delores D. Liston professor and EdD Curricu, Wayne Martino, Cris Mayo University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Michael Middleton University of Utah, Jane A. Page, Karlenn Pendleton Jiménez, Eric Rofes, Ronni Sanlo, Mara Sapon-Shevin, Syracuse University, Génet Simone, Diana Straut, Howard Lee Swain, Allison J. Young Edited by Rita M. Kissen
Publication date:
23 October 2002Length of book:
280 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersDimensions:
236x155mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9780742516779
This book argues that issues of sexual diversity are inextricably interwoven into the basic concerns of pre-service teacher education. How do we make our students aware of assumptions regarding masculinity, femininity, and sexuality that arise from what is presented, represented, or omitted from curricula and classroom practice? What do we say about homophobia and heterosexism as we anticipate the administrative hierarchies, school cultures, parent and community politics they will encounter as teachers? What special challenges might face a teacher (straight or gay) who discusses sexual orientation in a high school classroom, or responds to a homophobic remark in the hallway or the cafeteria? How should we prepare a teacher for a parent conference with two moms or two dads?
The essays in this volume range from an analysis of gay stereotypes in teacher education textbooks, to a discussion of queer multiculturalism, to personal accounts by lesbian and gay teacher educators and heterosexual allies who are challenging homophobia and heterosexism in their own classrooms and programs. All agree that education for sexual diversity is as important as education about all other forms of difference, and that future teachers need to know how to create safe spaces for lesbian and gay students, along with the children of gay families who are increasingly a part of the classroom landscape.
The essays in this volume range from an analysis of gay stereotypes in teacher education textbooks, to a discussion of queer multiculturalism, to personal accounts by lesbian and gay teacher educators and heterosexual allies who are challenging homophobia and heterosexism in their own classrooms and programs. All agree that education for sexual diversity is as important as education about all other forms of difference, and that future teachers need to know how to create safe spaces for lesbian and gay students, along with the children of gay families who are increasingly a part of the classroom landscape.
This groundbreaking collection, written by preeminent educational scholars, theorists, and practitioners, will forever redefine how current and future generations of teachers, school administrators, and pre-service teacher educators view issues of sexual and gender diversity in overall teacher training programs and classroom pedagogy. It will help to end the often-deadening silence by setting a higher standard for the promotion of truly democratic schooling within a larger diverse society. Getting Ready for Benjamin will go a long way in helping our schools welcome not only Benjamin, but also Sally and Khyati, Carla and Kalman, Nehal, Dachia, Courtney, Bob, and Kenji, as well as all their many peers.