Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice

Bryan Stanton
  • 5.0 (21)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast about LGBTQ inclusive teaching, queer pedagogy, and building authentic, affirming classrooms. Hosted by Bryan Stanton, the show offers practical strategies for educators navigating real challenges in today’s classrooms—connecting theory to practice through conversations, storytelling, and actionable tools.. Each episode centers the lived experiences of queer educators and how they show up for their students, even in systems that weren’t built for them. Whether you’re a K–12 teacher, higher education faculty member, or school leader, you’ll find actionable ways to create affirming learning environments for LGBTQ students and beyond. Through solo episodes and conversations with educators, researchers, and advocates, Queering Education connects theory to practice—covering topics like queer curriculum, equity in education, classroom culture, and navigating policy and resistance in schools. If you’re asking:  How do I support LGBTQ students right now?  What does inclusive teaching actually look like in practice?  How do I show up authentically as an educator?  You’re in the right place. This is Queering Education, a Teaching While Queer podcast.

  1. 3D AGO

    How Queer Teachers Teach Inclusivity When They're Not Sure What They're Allowed To Say | Ep. 200 (with Bryan Stanton)

    In this solo episode, Bryan Stanton (they/them) walks through what inclusive teaching actually looks like when policies feel vague, pressure is real, and every classroom decision carries weight. This isn’t theory—it’s what you can do tomorrow to support students while staying grounded in your professional role. If you’ve ever found yourself editing your language, second-guessing your curriculum, or wondering what might come back to you later, this episode offers a clear, practical path forward rooted in design, consistency, and educator reality. In this episode, you’ll learn: Simple language shifts that reduce barriers without drawing attentionHow to include diverse identities in curriculum without making it “a thing”Ways to design classroom structures that build belonging by defaultWhat consistent responses to harmful language can look like in real timeA strategy for applying policies evenly to protect both you and your studentsIf this episode resonates, consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with another educator who needs support right now. Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    18 min

  2. MAR 26

    This Is Not a Culture War This Is How Students Learn | Ep. 199 (with Bryan Stanton)

    What if inclusive education isn’t political—or optional—but necessary for learning itself? In this solo episode, Bryan Stanton (they/them) breaks down what’s actually happening in education right now and reframes inclusion as a core pedagogical issue, not a cultural debate. From Universal Design for Learning to culturally responsive teaching and queer pedagogy, this episode connects theory to real classroom practice—without losing sight of the risks many educators are navigating. If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to “add inclusion” on top of everything else, this episode offers a different lens: one where inclusion is the foundation. In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why lack of representation directly impacts student engagement and learning  How Universal Design for Learning supports all students—not just specific groups  What culturally responsive teaching looks like when gender and sexuality are included  How “queering pedagogy” challenges rigid ideas about knowledge and authority  Practical ways to be inclusive within restrictive or high-risk environments If this episode resonated with you, share it with another educator who needs it—and make sure to follow Teaching While Queer for more grounded, real-world conversations. Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    15 min

  3. MAR 19

    How Glisten Supports LGBTQ+ Students: Resources for Teachers and GSAs | Ep. 198 (with Damon Carbajal)

    In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with Damon Carbajal (he/el), Director of Chapter Network and Program Integration at Glisten, to talk about the resources available to educators who want to better support LGBTQ+ students. From lesson plans and GSA support to affirming book programs and national student initiatives, Damon shares how Glisten is evolving to meet the needs of today’s classrooms. The conversation also explores the organization’s recent name change, the upcoming National School Climate Survey update, and why the shift from “safe space” to solidarity reflects a deeper commitment to community connection in schools. If you’re an educator wondering where to start—or how to keep going in a challenging policy climate—this episode offers practical places to begin. In this episode, you’ll learn: What resources Glisten offers educators supporting LGBTQ+ studentsHow the Safe Space Kit and Ready, Set, Respect resources can help new educators start supporting studentsWhat the National School Climate Survey is and why it matters for educators and researchersWhy the organization shifted from GLSEN to GlistenHow educators, students, and communities can work together to support LGBTQ+ youthIf this episode helped you think differently about supporting queer students, be sure to follow, review, and share Teaching While Queer with another educator who could use these resources. Checkout www.glisten.org to connect to invaluable resources for educators. Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    23 min

  4. MAR 12

    The Past Is Always Present: Bringing Queer History to Life in the Classroom | Ep. 197 (with Deb Fowler from History UnErased)

    In this episode, host Bryan Stanton talks with Deb Fowler about the work of History UnErased, a nonprofit bringing LGBTQ+ history into K–12 classrooms through primary sources, theater, and creative learning. Deb shares how their project “The Past Is Always Present” helps students explore LGBTQ+ history through original plays, music, and improv exercises grounded in real historical documents. The result? Students aren’t just memorizing facts—they’re analyzing history, embodying historical figures, and discovering stories many educators never learned themselves. You’ll also hear about classroom-ready resources, teacher licensing options, and how educators across the country are using these tools to make history more inclusive and engaging. In this episode, you’ll learn: How primary source improv helps students understand historical contextThe story of William Dorsey Swann and early drag balls in Washington, DCHow theater-based learning can deepen student engagement with history and civicsWhat teachers can access through History UnErased’s curriculum and case studiesWhy educators often discover LGBTQ+ history alongside their studentsIf this episode resonates with you, consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with another educator who could use these resources. Visit History UnErased at https://unerased.org/. Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    27 min

  5. MAR 5

    Queering Research: Studying Bisexual Identity, Violence, and Academic Resistance | Ep. 196 (with Katherine Bogen)

    In this episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) talks with Katherine Bogen (she/her), a sixth-year doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Nebraska. Katherine’s work focuses on bisexual identity, experiences of violence, and how disclosure impacts relationships and healing. She shares what it means to conduct “me-search” that honors queer lived experience—and what it felt like when federal DEI funding cuts abruptly canceled her NIH-funded research grant. The conversation explores bisexual stigma, institutional cowardice around anti-DEI policies, and why queer educators and researchers must continue documenting their communities—even when systems attempt to erase the data. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why bisexual people face some of the highest rates of violence across sexuality groupsWhat happens when queer research funding disappears—and how scholars keep goingHow educators can strategically continue queer-focused research in hostile policy climatesWhy fiction, storytelling, and scholarship all play a role in protecting queer communitiesHow lived experience can be a legitimate form of expertise in educationIf this conversation resonates with you, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review so more LGBTQ+ educators can find the support they deserve. Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    48 min

  6. FEB 26

    Safe Isn't Enough: Why LGBTQ+ Educators Matter More Than Ever | Ep. 195 (with Dr. Michael Sadowski)

    In this powerful conversation, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) speaks with Michael Sadowski about what it means to be an out educator—from coming out in job interviews in the 1990s to researching queer youth, GSAs, and the limits of “safe schools.” Michael shares his journey from theater to teaching, launching a GSA in Massachusetts, earning his doctorate, and writing extensively about LGBTQ+ youth, identity development, and education. Together, they explore what’s changed for queer students and educators, what hasn’t, and why “safe” simply isn’t enough anymore. In this episode, you’ll learn: What it looked like to be out in a teaching interview in the 1990sWhy the “Safe Schools” model sets the bar too lowHow queer educators can approach authenticity strategicallyWhat’s shifting among students—even amid hostile policy climatesWhy simply showing up in the building can be a powerful actIf this episode resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another educator who needs the reminder: your presence matters. Connect with Dr. Sadowski at his website https://michaelsadowski.net/. Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    42 min

  7. FEB 19

    Teaching While Queer in a Shifting Policy Climate | Ep. 194 (with Bryan Stanton)

    In this solo episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) reflects on what it means to teach while queer during a moment of shifting protections, contested policies, and public scrutiny around trans inclusion in schools. As headlines intensify, so does the pressure on LGBTQ+ educators—who often find themselves acting as both teacher and shield. But this episode isn’t just about turbulence. It’s about momentum. Brian shares why they believe queer educators are on the precipice of something powerful: deeper collaboration, stronger networks, and community-built change. This conversation is a reminder that survival is not the end goal—collective action and connection are. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why today’s policy debates show up directly in your classroomThe emotional toll of being both educator and protectorHow isolation makes hostile climates heavier—and how to interrupt itWhat “strategic hope” looks like in real timeA new way to build collective support beyond your school wallsIf this episode resonates with you, share it with a colleague, leave a review, and help more queer educators find a space where they feel seen and supported. Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    13 min

  8. FEB 12

    Mental Health, Queer Visibility, and Professional Risk in Education | Ep. 193 (with Dr. Clark Ausloos)

    In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) is joined by February Educator of the Month Dr. Clark Ausloos (he/him) for a deeply grounded conversation about the intersection of education, mental health, and queer identity. Dr. Ausloos shares what it looks like to teach future counselors while navigating political pressure, professional ethics, and the emotional labor of showing up authentically in higher education. Together, Bryan and Clark unpack belonging versus boundaries, privilege and risk, and why small moments of care can matter more than grand gestures. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How queerness shows up in teaching and counselor educationNavigating boundaries, safety, and self-disclosure in classroomsEthical conflicts educators face under hostile policy climatesThe emotional toll of mental health work—and how to sustain yourselfWhy small, everyday moments can be life-changing for studentsIf this episode resonates, consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with another educator who might need it. Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    51 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast about LGBTQ inclusive teaching, queer pedagogy, and building authentic, affirming classrooms. Hosted by Bryan Stanton, the show offers practical strategies for educators navigating real challenges in today’s classrooms—connecting theory to practice through conversations, storytelling, and actionable tools.. Each episode centers the lived experiences of queer educators and how they show up for their students, even in systems that weren’t built for them. Whether you’re a K–12 teacher, higher education faculty member, or school leader, you’ll find actionable ways to create affirming learning environments for LGBTQ students and beyond. Through solo episodes and conversations with educators, researchers, and advocates, Queering Education connects theory to practice—covering topics like queer curriculum, equity in education, classroom culture, and navigating policy and resistance in schools. If you’re asking:  How do I support LGBTQ students right now?  What does inclusive teaching actually look like in practice?  How do I show up authentically as an educator?  You’re in the right place. This is Queering Education, a Teaching While Queer podcast.

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