127. 3 Hard Truths About Being an Openly Queer Teacher & How to Overcome Them

127. 3 Hard Truths About Being an Openly Queer Teacher & How to Overcome Them

Author: Bryan Stanton March 6, 2025 Duration: 9:37
What happens when coming out as an LGBTQ+ teacher leads to job loss, discrimination, and relentless scrutiny? Chris Cannella knows this reality firsthand—and he’s fighting back. Despite years of progress, LGBTQ+ educators still face discrimination, from losing coaching positions to having their advocacy questioned. In this episode, Chris shares his powerful journey from a closeted teacher to a bold activist, revealing the battles he’s fought for inclusion, student visibility, and educator ri...

Bryan Stanton (they/them) brings their experience as an award-winning educator and theatre pedagogy scholar to every conversation in Teaching While Queer: Advocacy, Community, and Resources for LGBTQ+ Educators. This isn't a theoretical discussion; it's a grounded, necessary space born from the Teaching While Queer movement, addressing the real and often unspoken challenges of existing at the crossroads of identity and the classroom. Episodes move beyond performative allyship, tackling the isolation educators can feel, the impact of restrictive policies, and the burnout that comes when institutional support is merely lip service. You'll hear from Bryan and their guests about practical strategies for survival and advocacy, fostering genuine community, and accessing resources that empower. The dialogue is unfiltered, focusing on how to maintain authenticity and resilience within educational systems. For LGBTQ+ teachers, librarians, administrators, and anyone supporting them, this podcast offers a vital blend of personal narrative, scholarly insight, and actionable solidarity, building a network of support one conversation at a time. Tune in for honest stories and tools that help navigate the complex journey of teaching as your full self.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice
Podcast Episodes
169. When the World Says "No" Queer Teachers Should Queer Everything! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:12
Queerness isn’t just what we are—it’s how we teach, breathe, and survive, even when the world tries to shut us down. In this solo recap, Bryan Stanton (they/them) unpacks Maya Gonzalez’s transformative approach to educat…
165. Affirming LGBTQ+ Students Means More than Just Surviving Right Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:26
“If we’re surpassing the safety of children to satisfy community attitudes, then we’re failing—period.” This episode of Teaching While Queer dives deep into the lived realities of queer teachers and LGBTQ+ allies fightin…