For many students, their first experience with school-based sex education happens in fourth or fifth grade with a lesson(s) about puberty. While not widespread, some schools include age – appropriate sex education beginning in kindergarten. My first career was in early childhood education and I found it was common to have daily interactions with the …
Recently Florida passed a controversial bill centering on the teaching of sexual orientation in public schools. Part of the text of the bill (HB 1557) bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Any instruction on these topics cannot occur in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally …
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my former student, Jackson, for giving me the nudge I needed to start opening up my eyes. But first, let’s go back 20 some odd years in time. My principal had just returned from an administrative retreat. She called a meeting with the faculty to let …
Regular readers to the blog will know how much I value the incorporation of movement into my classroom, harnessing it's many benefits to increase learning. I've presented on this at conferences across the country, and have blogged about it many times. As such, I'm always looking for ways in which to authentically add movement to …
Do transgender and gender-expansive students feel seen, safe and supported in your puberty and health ed classes? This week's blog post comes from @genderspectrum who today released new “Principles for Gender-Inclusive Puberty and Health Education.” You can use the principles without changing your current curriculum. Find the principles, FAQs for educators, and more at this …
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Teaching is all about relationships, and relationships with students are crucial, even once they have moved on from your classroom. I am delighted that the latest 'Student Voice' guest blog post comes from a student who I last had in class 3 years ago. We have kept in touch as she has transitioned from high …
Friday 27th is Day of Silence, a student-led national event where individuals take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ+ voices at school. In this short post I want to share some of the efforts at my school and also some resources that might be of use to you and your …
Recent justified outrage over comments made by a Presidential nominee has spurred many to speak up about what they heard. And rightly so. If we applied National Health Education Standard 4 to this individual, he would fail. As Health teachers we are tasked with encouraging our students to become responsible individuals who use verbal and …
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