"Silence is Violence"

As future, current, and/or retired educators, it is important for us to realize that silence is violence.  By not speaking up and being complacent about certain issues, in this case implementing LBGTQ+ themes into curriculum and teaching about acceptance, we are making the situation worse.  With that being said, here are some helpful tips for teachers:

• Talk to your school principal and/or superintendent and let them know about your concerns and/or yearning for the implementation of LBGTQ+ themes in the classroom
• Get other teachers involved and let them know what you are doing in your classroom to implement these themes.  Give them ideas of lesson plans, book suggestions, tips for answering student/parent questions, etc.

Talk to students and let them know that you classroom is a safe place.  Be honest with your students about questions/concerns they may have.  Let them know that you will not tolerate disrespectful and judgmental remarks and that your classroom is a place in which everyone is accepted.