Teach Like an Ally

Rising to prominence as a thought leader and noted online presence after documenting his experiences transitioning as a public school teacher in conservative Southern California, FLINT DEL SOL has lent his voice for the edification of thousands in the world of queer advocacy, allyship, and social emotional pedagogy. With messaging that reaches across regions and political parties, he is an activist for connection, empathy, and nuance in a world that primarily rewards the rhetoric of division.

• Foreword xiIntroduction xiiiA Final Revision xiiiThe Master’s House xviiThe Designated Queer xixThe Promise We Make to Ourselves xxiiSupplementary Materials xxvPart I Why Any of This Matters 1Chapter 1 A Brief and Recent History of the Author 3Once a Teacher 3The Letters After Our Names 6Who Is Worth Listening To 8Chapter 2 A Brief and Recent History of LGBTQ+ Issues in the Classroom 11Finding the Beginning 11Why Is It Always Kids? 12Here the Whole Time 15A Different Kind of Climate Change 18As the Water Begins to Warm 19The Boiling Point 21The Bright Side 24Chapter 3 A Brief and Not-So-Recent History of LGBTQ+ Teaching 29Life in a Fishbowl 29In the Beginning 31And the Accusations Roll In 34The Pie Heard ’Round the World 37My Name Is Harvey Milk, and I’m Here to Recruit You 38Queer Teachers Today 40Chapter 4 Let’s Talk Numbers 47Finding the Numbers 47The Kids Are All Gay 48Checking the Facts Against the Feelings 49The Seeds and the Soil 52The Data Behind the Schoolhouse Door 54But…But…the Children! 56Part II Get Your Mind Right 61Chapter 5 But What Can I Do on Monday? 63Chapter 6 Taking Inventory 67If You’re Asking, You Know 67What Are You Already Doing? 68The Rainbow-Washed Classroom 75Grant Me the Grace to Accept the Things I Cannot Change 79Chapter 7 The Mental Environment 83The Space Within the Space 83On the Way in the Door 84Shifting Classroom Language 86Swerving Around the Power Struggle 89Let’s Take a Walk 93Part III Inside the Classroom 97Chapter 8 Classroom Policies 99WTF Is a Safe Space? 99For Safety or Control? 105Setting Expectations and Evaluating Policies 107Chapter 9 The Physical Environment 117Check the Space 117Flags and Signage 120Books and Libraries 124What Else Can I Do? 128Chapter 10 Units and Lessons 131Willing to Try 131Creativity and Connection 133Avoiding Pitfalls 135Running an Effective Discussion 137Bridging the Confidence Gap 139Starting Points (by Subject) 143Is It Worth It? 149Part IV Beyond the Classroom 153Chapter 11 Communicating with Families 155A Letter to the Mother Who Called Me a Groomer 155We Are Not Enemies 157Considerations for Queer Families 162Frequent Parent Questions and Concerns 164Resources and Recommendations 168Chapter 12 Make Your Principal Read This Chapter 171Are You in the Arena Too? 171Leading a Proactive vs. Reactive Campus 174Queer Staff Protection and Management 179Chapter 13 School Board Meetings 101 183Why We Hate Robert’s Rules 185It’s Parks and Rec, But Nothing Is Funny 188Know the Rules, Know the Game 189Chapter 14 LGBTFAQs 197Quick Tips for GSAs 197Logistical Nightmares 201Annoying Questions 204Acknowledgments 209Index 211