If a student came out to me, I would probably be more of a listener than anything else, since I haven't been in that student's position and don't know what it's like to be gay (although I think we have all experienced not wanting to "come out" about other things in our lives for quite the same reasons). I would try to let that student know that they can talk to me, and, as the RWR reading suggests, make my classroom a safe zone for students of all kinds--not just those that our society sympathizes with at that moment. If I were the first that the student came out to, I would handle their trust with care by not telling others, but I would encourage them to do so, so that the student could go on making decisions about how to conduct their life.
I believe the best way to make a classroom a safe zone is to earn the students' respect and trust early, and popularize the concept of acceptance with those students. Students will always want to fit into their environments, so my job is to take initiative in creating an environment in which it's cool for those students to be honest and kind to each other rather than putting each other down, and always having to hide how they feel for fear that they'll be attacked.
Two GLBT artists of my interest that I plan to use in my curriculum include the likes of Jasper Johns and Betty Parsons.
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I really like your idea on handling the students coming out. I never thought of how we each have dealt with something we didnt want to make public because of the reception, whether its orientation, or culture. There is always something to be leary about, good point. As for your classroom, I think you have a great idea, and that will work well.
ReplyDeleteNice job
ReplyDeleteKeith Haring is another good artist
I like the way you talked about really listening to them because like you said you dont know what its like to be in their situation so its important to really listen before giving your opinions or advice. I also liked how you talked about the trust issue of them actually coming to you and the way you handle the confidentiality.
ReplyDeleteListening is key, especially if one has not been in that situation. I feel the same way about its importance. I enjoyed your relation in which everyone has had the feeling of hiding something, no matter if it is about their sexuality or not.
ReplyDelete