Lynsey's Conclusion

My personal conclusion is that LGBTQ2S+ studies should be added into our schools. I believe that the well-being of my students is extremely important. We should not just focus on the student’s academic performance, but also their cognitive, emotional, social and physical well-being (Ministry of Ontario, 2014). A positive safe school environment is essential to provide students the opportunity to develop a sense of belonging and trusting relationships with educators and peers to allow for meaningful and productive learning (Szalacha, 2003). LGBTQ2S+ individuals are a part of our school community, and in order to provide an inclusive and safe classroom for all students, we must find a way to appropriately implement studies about LGBTQ2S+ into our schools.

I personally believe that bullying within schools is a major concern in regards to the well-being of students. Research have shown that LGBTQ2S+ students experience a higher level of bullying in comparison to students who identify as heterosexuals (Zou, Andersen & Blosnich, 2013). Bullying should be addressed and dealt with so that it does not have a negative impact on the students in the future and it doesn’t lead to self-harm. I believe that the addition of LGBTQ2S+ studies within school with help prevent and reduce the amount of bullying against LGBTQ2S.

The way educators approach adding LGBTQ2S+ studies within our curriculum and teaching should be done in an appropriate and unbiased manner. Current research on analyzing LGBTQ2S+ topics in education textbooks reinforce negative stereotypes and marginalize LGBTQ2S+ people depending on the way they are presented and/or placed in the textbooks in relation to other topics (Macgillivray & Jennings, 2008). Teachers, students and community members who identify as LGBTQ2S+ should be involved in the curriculum and lesson planning to ensure that it truly reflects the needs, concerns and issues that LGBTQ2S+ students have.

Including LGBTQ2S+ students within the school may raise concerns with parents especially those with children in the Catholic school board. Teachers, parents and the school community must maintain an open conversation about how LGBTQ2S+ studies will be respectfully implemented into the curriculum and learning environment. By no means will it be forced onto the student, but rather it will be presented to the students and school community to raise awareness and to gain personal understanding.

In order to make the school as a whole inclusive, I believe that the entire school community needs to be on board. Proper training and guidance should be provided to teachers and school staff to them with more awareness and knowledge addressing LGBTQ2S+. Based on comments among my colleagues, teachers feel uncomfortable and uneducated to discuss LGBTQ2S+ studies with their students. LGBTQ2S+ resources should be made easily accessible for teachers, parents and students in case an issue or concern may arise.