Working with Immigrant and Refugee Students While Queer | Ep. 192 (with Alejandro Aristizabal)

Working with Immigrant and Refugee Students While Queer | Ep. 192 (with Alejandro Aristizabal)

Author: Bryan Stanton February 5, 2026 Duration: 45:52
Live from the Creating Change Conference in Washington, D.C., Bryan sits down with Alejandro, a youth program assistant with Foundation Communities in Austin, Texas. Together, they explore what it means to be an openly gay educator working with immigrant and refugee youth in a state where policy often conflicts with inclusion. Alejandro shares his path from reluctant teacher to joyful mentor, how his queerness shows up in small but powerful ways, and why community and creativity sustain him—e...

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
149. The Hidden Power of Queer Joy in Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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148. Stop Praising Resilience: How It’s Killing Queer Educators [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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What if praising queer educators for being “resilient” is actually just another way to keep them exhausted and unsupported? In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton pulls back the curtain on the myth o…