Strategies for Gender Inclusion

Summary

The script discusses strategies for creating an inclusive classroom environment, emphasizing the importance of respecting diverse gender identities. It suggests removing gendered language, using students' preferred pronouns, and addressing misgendering promptly. The conversation highlights the need for educators to model inclusive behavior, normalize the use of pronouns, and be prepared to explain and enforce these practices to foster a supportive and respectful learning atmosphere.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Remove gender-specific language from the classroom by referring to students as 'students' or 'friends' instead of 'ladies and gentlemen'.
• 👥 Avoid gender-based grouping to ensure an inclusive environment for all students.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Be prepared to explain the importance of using students' indicated pronouns and names to foster an inclusive culture.
• 🔍 Model inclusive behavior by sharing your own pronouns and encouraging students to do the same.
• 📝 Consistently use the pronouns and names students indicate, even if they differ from what's on the class roster.
• 🤔 Prioritize respect for each student's identity, even if it involves learning new terms or working through personal discomfort.
• 🚫 Address misgendering and harassment immediately to demonstrate respect for all identities and prevent marginalization.
• 💬 Normalize the use of gender pronouns by incorporating them into introductions, email signatures, and name tags.
• 📚 Educate yourself on gender identity terms mentioned by students and address any confusion or discomfort after class.
• 🗣️ Speak from your own perspective when interrupting inappropriate comments, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity.
• 🌱 Recognize that each step towards creating an inclusive classroom contributes to a supportive environment for all students.

Q & A

What was the main topic of discussion in the teacher's first day class?

The main topic of discussion was gender identity.

How does the teacher aim to remove gender language from their classroom?

The teacher refers to the class as 'students' or 'friends' instead of 'ladies and gentlemen' and avoids grouping students by gender.

What is the teacher's approach to creating an inclusive classroom for a transgender student?

The teacher models inclusive behavior by sharing their own pronouns, allowing students to share theirs, and consistently using the pronouns and names students indicate.

How can the teacher prepare to explain the importance of using correct pronouns to their students?

The teacher can prepare by understanding the rationale behind the practice and being ready to address any questions or concerns from students.

What is the teacher's strategy for handling inappropriate comments related to gender identity in the classroom?

The teacher plans to address misgendering and harassment immediately and demonstrate respect for all identities.

What does the teacher suggest doing when encountering terms they are not familiar with regarding gender identity?

The teacher suggests looking up terms after class or working through their own confusion and uncomfortable feelings.

Why is it important for the teacher to interrupt a situation where a student is being misgendered or harassed?

Interrupting the situation is important to prevent marginalized students from feeling isolated and unsupported.

What is the teacher's view on the role of inclusion in the department's group culture?

The teacher appreciates the importance of inclusion in the group culture and hopes to continue sharing ideas and resources.

What are some strategies the teacher uses to normalize the use of gender pronouns?

The teacher introduces themselves with their pronouns, includes pronouns in their email signature, and wears a name tag with pronouns in meetings.

What steps can be taken to create an inclusive environment for students with diverse gender identities according to the script?

Steps include being respectful even when unfamiliar with terms, normalizing the use of gender pronouns, using indicated names and pronouns, and addressing misgendering and harassment immediately.

How does the script emphasize the impact of each step taken towards creating an inclusive classroom?

The script highlights that each step matters and contributes to supporting students towards success.

Outlines

00:00

🏫 Building an Inclusive Classroom Environment

The script discusses the importance of creating an inclusive classroom environment, particularly for students with diverse gender identities. The teacher shares their approach to removing gendered language and avoiding gender-based groupings. They express concern about how to address a student's transgender identity with the class and seek advice on promoting inclusivity. The conversation highlights strategies such as modeling inclusive behavior, using correct pronouns and names, and addressing misgendering and harassment promptly. The teacher is reassured about the department's commitment to inclusion and is encouraged to continue sharing ideas for fostering a supportive classroom culture.

Keywords

💡Gender Identity

Gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of being male, female, or something else, and may not necessarily align with their biological sex. In the video, the theme of gender identity is central, as the teacher discusses removing gendered language from the classroom to foster an inclusive environment and how to handle discussions about it sensitively.

💡Inclusive Classroom

An inclusive classroom is one that is welcoming and respectful to all students, regardless of their gender identity, race, or background. The video emphasizes the importance of creating such an environment by using inclusive language and addressing issues like misgendering and harassment promptly.

💡Pronouns

Pronouns are words used to refer to someone without using their name, such as 'he,' 'she,' or 'they.' The video script highlights the significance of using the correct pronouns as a way to respect each student's gender identity, with the teacher modeling this behavior by sharing their own pronouns and encouraging students to do the same.

💡Transgender

Transgender is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The script mentions a student who identifies as transgender, and the teacher's desire to create an inclusive space for them, which underscores the video's focus on respecting and accommodating diverse gender identities.

💡Misgendering

Misgendering occurs when someone is referred to using a pronoun or term that does not correctly reflect their gender identity. The video discusses the teacher's responsibility to address misgendering immediately when it occurs, as part of creating a respectful and inclusive classroom environment.

💡Harassment

Harassment is any unwanted and unwelcome behavior that causes distress or harm. In the context of the video, it is particularly relevant to how the teacher must handle inappropriate comments related to gender identity to ensure a safe and inclusive learning space.

💡Respect

Respect in the video is portrayed as a fundamental aspect of classroom interaction, especially when it comes to acknowledging and using students' preferred names and pronouns. It is highlighted as a strategy for creating an inclusive environment where all students feel valued.

💡Normalization

Normalization in this context means making the use of gender pronouns a regular and accepted practice. The video suggests that by introducing oneself with pronouns and including them in email signatures and name tags, the teacher can help normalize this practice and contribute to an inclusive atmosphere.

💡Marginalized Students

Marginalized students are those who may be at a social or academic disadvantage due to factors such as race, gender identity, or socioeconomic status. The script discusses the importance of supporting these students by interrupting situations where they may feel isolated or unsupported.

💡Group Culture

Group culture refers to the shared values, norms, and behaviors within a group or community. The video mentions the significance of an inclusive group culture in the department, which is fostered by sharing ideas and resources that support diverse identities.

💡Strategies

Strategies in the video are specific actions or approaches taken by the teacher to create an inclusive classroom. These include focusing on respect, normalizing the use of pronouns, using indicated names and pronouns, and addressing misgendering and harassment immediately.

Highlights

Creating an inclusive classroom by removing gendered language and avoiding gender grouping.

Modeling inclusive behavior by sharing personal pronouns and encouraging students to do the same.

Consistently using the pronouns and names students indicate, even if different from the class roster.

Addressing inappropriate comments and misgendering immediately to demonstrate respect for all identities.

Working through personal confusion and uncomfortable feelings to respect students' gender pronouns.

Interrupting misgendering and harassment situations to support marginalized students.

The importance of faculty stepping in to promote respect and inclusivity in the classroom.

Sharing ideas and resources to foster an inclusive group culture within the department.

Focusing on respect as a strategy to create an inclusive environment, even when unfamiliar with terms.

Normalizing the use of gender pronouns by including them in introductions, email signatures, and name tags.

Using students' indicated names and pronouns to validate their identities.

Addressing misgendering and harassment as soon as they occur to maintain a respectful classroom.

The impact of each step taken to create an inclusive classroom on supporting students' success.

Encouraging a classroom discussion about gender identity to foster understanding and inclusivity.

Preparing to explain the importance and rationale behind inclusive practices to students.

Making notes or editing the class roster to reflect students' preferred names and pronouns.

The fear of saying the wrong thing and the realization that saying something is better than silence.

The collective responsibility of faculty to create an inclusive and supportive classroom culture.

The ongoing process of learning and adapting to create a more inclusive educational environment.

Transcripts

[Music]

so how was your first day

it went well my class got into a great

discussion about gender identity

that's great i try to remove gender

language from my classroom by referring

to my class as

students or friends instead of ladies

and gentlemen i also avoid grouping

students by gender to make sure i'm

inclusive

a student told me they are transgender

and i want to create an inclusive

classroom for them but i'm not sure how

there are a few easy things you can do i

try to model inclusive behavior by

starting my class with giving my own

pronouns providing opportunities for

students to share theirs

and preparing myself to explain the

importance and rationale behind this

practice to my students

then i make sure to consistently use the

pronouns and names that students

indicate

rather than what may be listed on my

class roster it can be helpful to make a

note or edit right on the roster

good suggestion i am confident that i

can be respectful to the student but i'm

worried

about how i will explain things to other

students in the class if they make

inappropriate comments

i've been there too it can be hard to

know what to say

but so important that we step in as

faculty to demonstrate respect for all

identities

a few strategies that have worked well

in my class are

prioritizing showing respect for each

student even if i don't understand

this means sometimes looking terms up

after class that students mention

or working through my own confusion and

uncomfortable feelings

i also make sure to address misgendering

and harassment

as soon as i am aware of it in my class

at first

i was afraid to not say the right thing

but then i realized that saying

something to interrupt the situation

and speaking from my own perspective was

far better than saying nothing

and letting marginalized students feel

isolated and unsupported

thank you this has been helpful and i

can see that inclusion is an important

part of the group culture in our

department

i appreciate this and hope to continue

sharing ideas and resources

what can you do to create an inclusive

classroom

strategy one focus on being respectful

even if you don't understand this may

mean working through your own discomfort

when asked to use a gender pronoun

you're not used to using strategy two

normalize the use of gender pronouns

example

introduce yourself with your pronouns

put it in your email signature

and put them on your name tag in

meetings

strategy 3 use indicated names and

[Music]

pronouns

strategy 4 address misgendering and

harassment immediately

what other practices have you used to

create inclusive environments for

students with diverse gender identities

[Music]

each step you take to create an

inclusive classroom matters and support

students towards success