AFT’s Share My Lesson Helps Educators Support LGBTQ Students

WASHINGTON— As educators nationwide prepare for National Bullying Prevention Month, Share My Lesson is launching new digital resources designed to support teachers in providing safe classroom environments for LGBTQ students. The expanded bullying prevention collection includes teaching resources, information and guidance for teachers and parents, as well as content from prominent partners such as the Anti-Defamation League, the Bully Project and Teaching Tolerance.

The collection can be found at: http://sharemylesson.com/collections/bullying-prevention-resources.

“The AFT and Share My Lesson are committed to providing the supports and resources educators need to make our schools safe and welcoming places for all students,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “All students, particularly LGBTQ students, need to rely on schools to be safe places, free of any form of discrimination or bullying. That’s more important than ever today, given the toxic nature of our political discourse and the Trump effect that has become real in too many places.”

Weingarten added, “We want teachers, school staff, parents and others to know they can turn to https://sharemylesson.com for support. As we kick off Bullying Prevention Month, let’s remember that it’s on all of us—parents, teachers, principals, nurses, librarians, counselors, bus drivers, food service workers and students themselves—to prevent bullying and build a positive culture in our schools.”

Share My Lesson’s newly expanded bullying prevention collection includes lesson plans for every grade, educator testimonials, and special features on supporting transgender students and communities of color. Drawing on content created by teachers and by nearly a dozen partner organizations, the collection is, like all content on Share My Lesson, available free of charge. Throughout October, Share My Lesson will add and spotlight content on bullying prevention.

The collection adds to the AFT’s long history of efforts to combat bullying and champion safe and welcoming schools. In 2013, the AFT partnered with Cartoon Network to launch the “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” campaign. We provided free online bullying prevention kits to help teachers, parents and communities begin or enhance their anti-bullying work. The AFT also provides professional development training on the subject so educators can recognize bullying and learn how best to prevent it and address the problem if and when it occurs.

AFT members across the country advocate for positive social-emotional learning experiences that foster safe learning environments and prevent bullying; schoolwide and districtwide anti-bullying practices; safe and accessible methods to report and address the problem when it occurs; and educational resources to shine a bright light on bullying to make it clear it will not be tolerated and to help those who have encountered this destructive behavior.