Portland Public Schools leader: LGBTQ training makes schools 'safe' for students (Q&A)
(Faith Cathcart)
Earlier this week, The Oregonian/OregonLive brought you the story of a transgender teacher in the Gresham-Barlow School District. Oregon and Washington have long barred employers from firing workers because of their gender identity. Yet most schools remain unprepared for the coming wave of transgender teachers, staff and students.
Portland Public Schools is one of the most progressive districts in the nation when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. Each year, the district trains teachers at its 90 schools to better serve LGBTQ students. Principals begin school years by telling teachers to ask students which pronouns they prefer to use. And a widely distributed FAQ reminds teachers they have the right to be out, keep photographs of their partners in their classrooms and use the pronouns and bathrooms that suit them.
The Oregonian/OregonLive spoke with Rudy Rudolph, a project manager for Portland Public's equity department, about why the district prioritizes this work.
Oregon law says you can't fire teachers because of their gender identity, but the law doesn't require you to offer training. Why is that professional development important?
If we don't give people an opportunity to understand what life is like for an LGBTQ person in the schools and at work, how can we ever really truly say that PPS is a safe place for all?
People have been so appreciative that the district is making people aware and giving them the tools to move forward.
The first question some districts ask is, 'How much is it going to cost?'
The first question I get is, 'What do you need? How can we help you?' I've never once gotten a no. They want to make it right.
Were there any challenges in getting this off the ground?
Yes. There are so many important things that the leaders of our schools need to know about and do, involving curriculum, new teaching techniques, all the testing that goes on.
What's challenging is being able to get in front of them with all the other things that are important. Every year, we have gotten in front of the whole leadership to make Portland Public Schools leader: LGBTQ training makes schools 'safe' for students (Q&A) | OregonLive.com:
