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I chose this because I think it's a great reminder to not label people or make assumptions. When looking at the boxes people are standing in it's not specifically clear what they might have in common to be in the same box. In addition, when they have the different categories of people, there's no real one "look" to the people. I think this can be used in all grade levels.

NewHope Church. (2017, May 22). Don't put people in boxes. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRwt25M5nGw

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I chose this article because like the others, it provided great tips for the classroom, but this one also talks about accepting all gender identities and not just male or female. This is important to keep in mind for all ages.

Weber, C. (2021, November 5). Strategies for Minimizing Gender Biases in Your Classroom and on Tour. Explorica by WorldStrides.

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Gender inequality in education that favours male students is well-researched and documented. Studies show that male students tend to garner more attention from educators. This can appear in the form of male students being called on with greater frequency, being recognized more often (for good and bad behaviour) despite female students who exhibit similar conduct, or in the form of representation in curricular materials. This disparity extends beyond our formative years and into the workplace, but a strong educator can make an impact that can have positive and lasting consequences - both in the classroom and during a travel program.

Recognizing our own biases
The first step to confronting gender bias is to consider your own implicit biases. A bias is a preference or aversion to a person or group of people, and those thoughts and feelings are "implicit" if we are either unaware of them or mistaken about their nature and the way those feelings play out as we navigate the world. "Implicit bias" describes the attitudes toward people or stereotyping that happens unconsciously. You may be acting on your gender biases or prejudices without even intending to. This TEDx Talk, Immaculate Perception discusses the way our brains process and affect biases. Although predominantly focused on ethnic and racial biases, the video is truly eye opening and can help to understand and recognize our own biases. Want to dig even deeper? Consider taking an Implicit Association Test. These tests were developed by researchers studying bias and there are tests for many categories, including gender.

Confronting bias
After examining your own perceptions of gender and acknowledging that gender bias may play a role in your teaching, you'll want to confront the ways that you can combat or overcome that bias. The most important thing we can do is help students to understand that we value them for who they are, not the assumptions we may make about them based on their gender. This is particularly salient in the age of social media when students are learning that societal acceptance depends on their outward appearance. Learning about your students, and really listening, can go a long way toward understanding them beyond their gender and will help you to reduce assumptions and biases that are gender-based. Setting equal expectations for all students is paramount! If you're looking to improve your own practices related to gender equality, this Edutopia article can help.

What to avoid
Another tip is to stay away from using gendered nicknames like "champ," "buddy," "sweetheart," or "darling" that reinforce gender stereotypes. Use gender neutral pronouns when talking about professions that tend to be gendered - say police officer not policeman, mail carrier not mailman, construction workers not workmen. Ensure that group duties are distributed equally among your students; for example, don't ask only male students to move and carry things and female students to do the cleanup. During a travel program, avoid grouping students along gender lines and pay attention to and disrupt groups that are self-segregated by gender. It is essential that genders are equally represented in examples, book suggestions, and highlights of famous people or historical events on tour. The Harvard Graduate School of Education hosts a Girls Equity and Empowerment Resource List which is a great place to learn about and find examples of female representation.

Accepting all gender identities
Another facet of gender equality is acceptance of gender identity. Educators need to be prepared to work with students who are non-gender conforming. First impressions are so important, and we need to be prepared with appropriate language to model and teach acceptance. Humans learn about identifying themselves into societally determined categories at a young age. Gender identity is one's concept of how they perceive themselves as female, male, a blend of both, or neither female nor male. It refers to a personal experience of their gender and reflects their sense of where they fit at any point along the gender spectrum regardless of their sex assigned at birth.

One way to ensure you are meeting the needs of non-gender conforming students is to use terms like "folks," "students," "people," or "friends" rather than relying on the commonly used greetings of "guys," or "boys and girls" when addressing a group. Read this TED-Ed Blog and watch the embedded videos to learn more about non-binary children and the discomfort we might feel when faced with a student who does not identify as male or female. Inclusive language and use of the applicable pronouns are necessary. The Guide to Understanding Gender Identity Terms provides strategies that can be used to engage non-binary students in a respectful and accepting manner. There are many resources that discuss pronouns and their importance when addressing non-gender conforming individuals. The Human Rights Campaign and My Pronouns have good guides to help understand the use of proper terminology as well.

Your responsibility as an educator
Equality in education has a long way to go across the globe. When working with students in any setting, it is an educator's responsibility to both teach and model acceptance and understanding. No student should be underestimated as a result of their gender or gender identity. Practicing educational equality with youth can make a big impact as our students grow into adulthood and move into the workplace.
Carrie Weber serves as a Senior Curriculum and Academics Specialist for WorldStrides. She holds an M. Ed. in Secondary Science Education and a BS in Physics. Ms. Weber earned a STEM Leadership certificate through the NASA Endeavor program and has recently completed coursework on anti-racist education. She taught middle and high school science in the traditional classroom for 14 years, is certified and licensed in several states, and holds multiple College Board AP certifications.

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Strategies for Minimizing Gender Biases in Your Classroom and on Tour

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Practicing educational equality with youth can make a big impact as our students grow into adulthood and move into the workplace.

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This is a great article that provides ways to promote gender equality and it even includes things that contribute to gender inequality. These are various strategies that can be used in various grade levels.

Johnson, J. (n.d.). How can you promote gender equality in your classroom? TeachThought.

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contributed by Jesse Johnson

As young children begin to notice the differences in social expectations for gender roles, the ways teachers interact with students stand to have a great impact on their ability to participate in their education.

These interactions also create long-lasting effects in other areas of their lives, at times limiting their self-image and their perception of the opportunities that are available or appropriate for them. This trend is especially apparent in the shortage of women working in STEM fields. The STEM Gap is real.

Here are a few ways some teachers create a gender bias, often unknowingly, as well as strategies for encouraging and also to promote gender equality within the classroom. Whether they are causes or effects, three factors of gender equity in the classroom.

See also 14 Messages Every Student Needs To Hear From You

3 Factors That Contribute To Gender Inequality In The Classroom

Contributing Factor #1: Teachers Pay More Attention to Boys

According to a report sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), girls receive significantly less attention from teachers than boys do (Bailey, 1992).

This is due in part to the fact that, in general, boys are more likely to call out answers to questions posed to the class even if they haven't been called on by the teacher.

This trend may also exist because boys are often perceived as being more mischievous, causing teachers to monitor and engage with them more actively in class, giving a perceived 'opening' to speak without permission.

Over time, this can discourage female students from speaking up even when they feel like they have something worthwhile to contribute to a discussion.

Contributing Factor #2: Interactions with Boys are More Public

Teachers often have a tendency to talk to boys from a greater distance than girls. This is possibly due to an expectation that they should communicate in a more nurturing way with girls and a more business-like way with boys.

Because the entire classroom can often hear a teacher's conversations with boys, this contributes to - at least the appearance of - teachers communicating more often and more casually with boys. This encourages girls to reserve their comments and questions for private conversations, denying them the chance to participate in primarily male-focused discussions.

Contributing Factor #3: Praise & Criticism Differ Between Boys & Girls

Though teachers aim to treat all students equally, there are often stark differences in the types of things boys and girls are praised or criticized for.

For example, boys are often praised more than girls for sharing correct knowledge, and wrong answers provided by boys are likely to be overlooked.

In contrast, girls are more often criticized for conveying incorrect knowledge, and teachers tend to provide less praise for correct answers given by girls. The lack of publicity in teachers' conversations with girls makes knowledge provided by girls less visible. From this, an expectation arises that boys' knowledge is more highly valued than that of girls, which can convince girls that they are less competent than boys.

Another difference comes in the fact that girls are more often praised for good behavior, whereas boys are criticized more for bad behavior in the classroom.

While this may seem like this difference would benefit female students, this trend actually places a greater emphasis on compliance as being essential to their academic success rather than simply learning and demonstrating knowledge.

1. Be Reflective and Be Objective

First, pay attention to the trends above and do your best to offer more gender-neutral responses to students.

You may feel like you already do a good job of this, but it can be difficult to judge your own teaching objectively. It may help to record a video of your classroom in order to take a closer look at your own teaching methods and interactions with students.

Your language, norms, and underlying assumptions about gender-that girls learn one way or prefer one kind of instruction, book, grouping strategy, etc., for example-can promote gender inequality in the classroom in an invisible but ultimately divisive way.

2. Get Feedback From Colleagues and Students

Consider getting feedback from colleagues on any differences they may notice that you don't. Further, consider getting similar feedback from the students themselves using an anonymous comment box.

Consider questions such as:
Which genders are recognized and supported in my classroom? Do you feel welcome and equally supported in this classroom? Do you notice any differences in how I treat different genders? What do I need to know about you, in terms of gender, to teach you well? To support you personally? Have I-or other students-made you feel good or bad in regard to your gender at any point? How can we do more of the former and less of the latter?
3. Use Gender-Neutral Language When Appropriate

You can also alter the language within your lessons to help expand students' perspectives beyond gender stereotypes.

For example, in assignments, you can challenge students' expectations by including a female construction worker or soldier, a male secretary or nurse, and other professions typically associated with a particular gender.

Also, when referring to the group as a whole, avoid using gendered terms like 'guys,' which may make female students feel excluded. Instead, reach for gender-neutral pronouns like 'everyone.'

Similarly, you shouldn't refer to stereotypical characteristics like 'boys don't cry' or 'girls don't fight.' This language lays a foundation that may limit students' understanding of gender roles.

4. Explain the Context

If you hear students using phrases like 'you play like a girl' or 'man up,' it's important to point out the social implications of these statements rather than simply admonishing the use of that kind of phrasing.

The struggle for and history of gender equity parallels similar struggles and histories for race and religious equity. Understanding how individuals and groups become marginalized through the most basic of cultural tools like language can, depending on the grade level of your students, is more important than having 'clear rules' to simply 'protect students' from bias.

5. Seat and Group Students Intentionally

It's common for boys and girls to segregate when choosing friends and seating arrangements. Teachers sometimes encourage this by asking girls and boys to form separate lines in the hallway or even organizing separate sports activities for each group.

By creating a dynamic seating chart, you can break up boys- or girls-only cliques and encourage both groups to engage with each other.

6. Use Project-Based Learning

You can also be intentional about integrating a mix of boys and girls within small group projects. There are many types of project-based learning, each suited to different applications within and beyond the classroom.

The work can be purely academic, with the lessons on gender equity indirect and implicit. By working together, girls and boys can-if supported well-better understand the nuance of individual behaviors rather than stereotyping 'girls' and 'boys.'

Projects can also be created to explore concepts in and around gender and cultural equity or to do work in select spaces and communities to nurture the growth of healthy human interdependence.

See also The Definition Of Project-Based Learning

Conclusion

These trends aren't true for every teacher or every group of students, but they are worth considering as you attempt to curb gender biases within your teaching methods. Gender disparity is only one facet of a much larger issue of equity within education.

However, by making efforts to break down traditional gender roles in the classroom, you can better prepare students to seek knowledge and participate more fully in discussions and other learning opportunities in many fields, regardless of their gender.

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6 Ways You Can Promote Gender Equality In Your Classroom

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contributed by Jesse Johnson As young children begin to notice the differences in social expectations for gender roles, the ways teachers interact with students stand to have a great impact on their ability to participate in their education.

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This TikTok doesn't explicitly provide strategies, but I think it provides a good example of how not to approach kids. The boy in the video has dreads and is told to cut them off because they are "unprofessional" and make him look like a "thug". He responds by saying that he is 14 and doesn't need to look professional. I think this is a great example and reminder that just because something is different or looks different than us, it doesn't mean that they are unprofessional. Once again this relates back to labeling individuals. This can be used for all grade levels.

@zhen962. (2022, September 30). Should he cut his hair? [Video]. TikTok.

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I really liked the tips given in this article, specifically the one about giving your classroom a "diversity audit". These strategies can be used in any type of classroom.

Croteau, J. (2020). 10 Ways Teachers Can Fight Racism and Teach Tolerance. We Are Teachers.

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The pain of racism is devastating our country and you've likely seen the impact in your own community. You may have even seen it in your classroom. Now, we see demonstrations taking place with people taking to the streets to stand against prejudice and injustice. Our stomachs churn. Our hearts break. And our minds wonder. What can we do to make this a better world for everyone? Here are 10 ways teachers can fight racism and teach tolerance right now.

1. Get (and Stay) Informed

Sometimes, we think we know more than we actually do. When it comes to racism, you cannot neglect the importance of being informed. Reading books and watching movies is just the beginning of the journey. It's absolutely essential that we learn about how our own implicit biases (and where they came from) can impact how we think and behave.

Racism is such a deeply ingrained part of our society that we may not even recognize it. For example, many schools have dress codes that contain exclusionary policies, particularly when it comes to hairstyles. We've seen African-American students denied the right to or participate in sports unless they were willing to cut their dreadlocks. A daycare a biracial child's hair without her parent's permission "for reasons of cleanliness."

This lack of understanding of natural hairstyles within the black community is just one example of the many causes of trauma to children. Families are all too often punished for refusing to conform and educators need to make every effort to stop this destructive pattern from continuing. The Teaching Tolerance website offers professional development through workshops, self-directed learning, webinars, podcasts, and even facilitator guides to empower you with the knowledge you need to take on this highly important endeavor.

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2. Speak Up

One of the most painful things we can experience is people being silent around us while we are suffering. No matter the circumstance, it's never okay to look the other way when we see others being mistreated and/or abused. We must always confront and address racism in all forms every single time.

Once you become more aware of the injustices your students, their families, and your co-workers of color face every day, you absolutely must speak up whenever you witness racism in action. Discriminatory policies in your school must be confronted head-on.

When we're forced to stand alone for what's right, it can feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. But when we can look around and see others joining together in acts of solidarity, we make it clear that we, as a society, will not tolerate racism and discrimination. We can't stand on the sidelines and watch this toxic dynamic continue. We all need to say something!

3. Give Your Classroom a "Diversity Audit"

It's natural to gravitate to familiar concepts, which is why it's so important that we push ourselves to look through multiple lenses when we're preparing our classrooms. More than ever, our students deserve to feel included, loved, and celebrated for who they are. They need to know that we recognize and support them.

Choose wall decor, such as these beautiful posters, to promote inclusivity and spark a conversation. Introduce that teach diversity to elementary school kids and explore the many ways in which you can help prepare your students for citizenship.

4. Commit to Listening

The classroom culture you create should focus on giving every student a voice while honoring student experience and providing social and emotional safety. Fostering student-led discussions and consciously working to better communicate with culturally diverse students will help everyone feel seen and heard.

5. Bring Empathy Into Your Classroom

Teaching with empathy is incredibly important, especially if you are trying to teach tolerance in the classroom. According to Merriam-Webster , empathy is "the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another... without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner."

Ready to begin? The Harvard Graduate School of Education has published called "How to Build Empathy and Strengthen Your School Community." Once you've read that, check out the website. This free tool combines live videos with activities designed for elementary students. Empatico connects classrooms around the world, empowering teachers and students "to explore the world through experiences that spark curiosity, kindness, and empathy."

6. Enhance Your Curriculum

As such, one of the most important ways to fight racism and teach tolerance in our classrooms is to rethink and enhance the curriculum. We should always look for ways to give our students the fairest and most balanced experience possible. Especially during these formative years in their lives.

Need some inspiration? This offers 8 Ways to Teachers Can Address White Supremacy in the Classroom. If that seems heavy, remember that your students of color and their families are likely dealing with this in their real lives every day. The Teaching Tolerance website also provides classroom resources including Teaching Strategies , , Learning Plans , Student Texts , Student Tasks , and even to help you feel better prepared to emerge as a leader against racial injustice.

7. Set High Expectations (And Lead By Example)

Challenge any policies, punishments, or practices that take away from the mission of creating an inclusive environment. For example, as the Teaching Tolerance website , "Zero-tolerance policies are popular, but mounting evidence suggests that this approach does not make schools safer. An alternative is taking a 'zero-indifference' approach to bullying, harassment, and other disciplinary issues. Zero indifference means never letting disrespectful conduct go unaddressed; school staff always name and respond to behaviors, but they do not implement automatic suspension, expulsion or other punishments."

Additionally, we can consider the "restorative justice approach to school discipline (and criminal justice) by focusing on repairing harm and restoring relationships rather than simply punishing those who have engaged in misconduct. Restorative justice spans a wide variety of practices and strategies, including peacemaking circles, peer jury processes, mediation, conferencing and classroom discussions focused on building empathy."

8. Learn From Other Teachers

If you've been in the classroom for any length of time, you already know your fellow teachers are a wealth of information. Undoubtedly, you've sought to find the best tips for workbooks and room decor. Why not do the same for diversity issues?

There are many incredible teachers of color out there creating content for this very reason. Whether it's tackling a difficult situation in the classroom or learning to recognize oppressive policies on an administrative level, there are blogs, Instagram accounts, and YouTube channels where these incredible educators are sharing their experience.

Grab a cup of coffee and sit down to read Tamara Russell's " Why Teachers Are Silent on Race Relations " and " The Lie I Refuse to Teach ." Open your heart as Jose Vilson reflects on segregation and why we don't see more teachers of color . If you see a way to sign up for newsletters, do it. It's an excellent way to stay engaged.

Finally, find ways to work with other teachers within your school. Regularly set aside time to critically and constructively review curricular materials. Visit each other's classrooms. And, share assignment ideas to ensure that you're all working towards the same goal.

9. Get Involved

When we're disconnected from something, it's much easier to dismiss it. You might scroll right by a story that has no impact on your life while it tears up people of color in your community. That's one of the reasons why racism continues to be so pervasive. Some people don't even recognize it. Do not miss opportunities to get involved.

10. Donate

Year after year, protests erupt across this country as human beings fight for their constitutional right to live. That shouldn't be necessary in 2020. We know that teachers are incredibly underpaid, which is why a donation is such a meaningful gesture.

Of course, you should always verify that you're donating to a legitimate source. But providing monetary support to a victim's family or organizations that provide legal services can go a long way towards confronting the devastation of systemic racism.
For more ways for teachers to fight racism and teach tolerance in your classroom, read our articles " White Teachers Need to See Color. Here's Why" and "6 Ways to Advocate for Underrepresented Students Headed to College."

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10 Ways Teachers Can Fight Racism and Teach Tolerance

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Teachers can fight racism in their classrooms by educating themselves, leading by example, conducting a diversity audit, and more.

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I chose this video because I think it had a great eye opener at the beginning. It also provided good ways to deal with unconscious bias at the end. This is useful for all ages.

SFU Co-operative Education. (2019, October 30). How to Deal with Unconscious Bias?. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbK4Ge8zgF8

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This article provides 20 tips to reduce gender bias. It has a great list of easy things to do to try to check your bias at the door and stresses the importance of language choices we make with students. It can be used at all levels, but some tips are geared more so for the elementary level.

Bailey, C. (2019). Teachers: 20 Ways to Reduce Gender Bias at School. Think or Blue.

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If you've ever told a boy he shouldn't be upset, or called a girl bossy, keep on reading.

We all have gender bias; it's okay to admit it. Even if you're a strong believer in gender equity or a self-proclaimed feminist, it lingers in the back of your brain, deep in your subconscious.

Teachers play a critical role to prevent gender stereotypes and reduce gender bias in the classroom. In early education in particular, our children's young brains are forming and imbibing every message.

I know that you're probably stressed about setting up your classroom and getting your lesson plans ready. And trying to scrounge up a few extra dollars for all of the classroom supplies you need! But approaching the school year with a gender lens will help you ensure that every student learns, grows, and embraces their individuality.

(While I'm not an education professional, I am a gender equity and women's policy expert... and a parent. Thanks for all you do for our children and for taking the time to help them each shine brightly! And thank you for taking the time to read these gender bias prevention tips with an open mind.)
Anti- Gender Bias Basics

1. Address your students equally. Instead of "girls and boys" try to use "students" or "friends," a wonderful category our preschool uses. Do you use pet names, like champ, buddy, mate, lad, honey, sweetheart? These nicknames treat boys as tough and girls as delicate. (I've been guilty of this too!) Similarly, this piece articulates why saying "you guys" is inherently sexist, but it can also be alienating to individuals who are LGBTQ+.

2. Avoid separating children based on gender. Do you ask students to line up for the bathroom or recess by sex or gender? Are they grouped for activities this way? If you make sex a distinctive category frequently, children will think it matters more than it does. It will also present a tough challenge for children questioning their gender.

3. Learn about children as individuals. I once had (what I thought was) an excellent conversation with a new teacher at a preschool about my commitment to end gender stereotypes, and she echoed its importance. The following day she greeted my child at the door and asked her what her favorite color was. The teacher did not pause to wait for my child to answer, but instead asked "is PINK your favorite color?" even though my child was wearing yellow. Let the child tell you what they like. Related: not all girls like pink.

Children's Appearances: Colors, Toys, and Clothes

4. Evaluate the way you greet students. A well-meaning preschool teacher greeted my daughter almost every morning with "you look so pretty today!" Constant comments about appearance reveal adults' internalized beauty standards for women and girls; a lesson we needn't pass on to the next generation. Try these tips instead.

5. Understand Walmart's power over your teacher-student relationship. Your students' wardrobes are largely dictated by the big box stores' arbitrary decisions about what is labelled by gender and sorted in the "girls" and "boys" aisles. Only parents with the privileges of time and resources can find children's clothing that are gender-inclusive and buck stereotypes (i.e. beyond superheroes and transportation for boys, and princesses and rainbows for girls). Don't rely on the t-shirt graphic to give you insight into the child.

Related: Finally, longer shorts for girls
Girls like trucks, too
6. Toys and colors are for everyone. Seriously; don't ask that boy if he's sure he wants the pink sticker. If he chose the pink crayon or the princess dress-up gown, let it be. This is play, and I'm sure you agree that play is healthy, especially play that uses exploration and experimentation.

7. Question your school's dress code. Is there a dress code? If so, check to see if it has different expectations for different sexes. Do many teachers feel that a girl wearing shorter shorts or a tank top will "distract" boys? Talk to your colleagues about how policing girls' bodies can lead to self-consciousness, body monitoring, shame, and over-sexualization at a young age.

Get our body image guide here, which contains 8 advanced strategies.

Set Up a Gender-Equal Classroom Environment

8. Audit your bookshelf. In a review of our home library I found that the protagonist in children's books was 8 times more likely to be male than female. To conduct an audit of your classroom books, download Think or Blue's gender representation book audit form here.

9. Remember that female leads are for everyone. I've heard authors of girl-led books recount stories of educators wistfully declining an author visit because the boys wouldn't be interested. Well.. boys certainly won't be interested if adults fail to uphold stories of women and girls in history and today as valuable and important.

10. Reassess the visuals in your room. I personally find many classrooms to be visually overstimulating when every wall, nook, and cranny is filled with bright colors and posters. There is a case for the calm and serenity that comes with minimal decor. But if you display visuals during lessons such as "Community Helpers," be sure that they reflect a variety of genders, ethnicities, and abilities.

11. Expand children's role models. Use gender neutral words for professions, such as police officer, worker, mail carrier, fire fighter, nurse. Substitute "the men are fixing the roof" with "the workers are fixing the roof." Read more about this easy tip.

In addition, witness the power of inviting real-life role models to the classroom, especially when they disrupt expected gender stereotypes.

Interactions among students

12. Encourage mixed gender friendships. Be cognizant of your tendency to encourage single-sex friendships, even if it's subconscious. A teacher once reported to me proudly that my daughter had begun to develop closer relationships with other girls in the class. It wasn't a goal or concern of ours, so I was confused. I'm happy for her to be friends with ALL children. Here's why mixed-gender play is so healthy for everyone.

13. Equalize air time. Studies show that boys begin to interrupt other children at a young age. If my child is interrupted, she almost always stops talking. I'm currently working to give her the tools to say "I wasn't done speaking yet," or "I'm not finished." Try the same in your classroom.

14. Evaluate children's assigned and organic roles. During group projects, have you observed whether they self-select certain roles? Does a girl always end up being the "secretary/recorder"? If you observe this, take steps to rotate roles and help them share accountability.

15. Teach consent your students. Remind them to ask before they touch each other and that consent can be withdrawn at any time. Model this yourself, too. Once, on a day my daughter had a tough time entering the classroom, an energetic assistant teacher swooped my child up in the air and jiggled her. This trick may have worked well to acclimate other students, but it backfired and my daughter started sobbing. I informed the teacher that my child was not used to being picked up without permission. Watch this video for more tips about consent.

16. Help boys lose gracefully. If a girl beats other classmates at sports, or shines academically, don't console the boys or feel the need to shore up their self-confidence. Boys will sometimes lose to girls, in the classroom and someday in the boardroom. The earlier they learn this, the better. Help them take this defeat gracefully.

Pin it to remember tips later!

Teachers, Check Your Personal Bias

17. Check your assumptions. Do you assume girls will want to read or play hopskotch, or that boys will want to build or play sports? Teachers have sometimes led my daughter to crayons during dropoff, rather than asking her if she wants to build, or asking what SHE is interested in playing with. Follow the child's interests whenever possible. 20 Places Your Gender Bias is Hiding.

18. Work on your own anti-bias and stereotyping outside of the classroom. Who are your friends? Where do you spend your time outside of school, and with whom? Whose social media do you follow? Take steps to diversify your personal time. A few educator accounts I love are:

They have taught me valuable lessons about white saviorism in classrooms and the importance of learning names properly. Plus many more important lessons. Go follow them!

19. Plan ahead for how you would respond to a transgender or gender non-conforming child. If you haven't had a transgender or gender non-conforming student in your class or your school, even better reason to prepare for how you and your school would handle it. Is there a policy about bathrooms, sports teams, and pronouns? How will you help the other students be compassionate and better understand the child's journey? Get better educated.

20. Reconsider discipline. First, check your school district's discipline record within the Office of Civil Rights, and how it differs by gender and race. Second, check your own bias. Children of color are more likely to be disciplined, and adults tend to think that black girls are more mature than white girls. Think about this before you discipline.

Thank you, teachers, for the work you do every day. And for taking the time to learn more tips for how teachers can reduce gender bias and gender stereotypes in the classroom. YOU are changing the future!
Is your school, classroom, or parent group interested in learning more about how gender bias impacts children + strategies to overcome it? Learn more about my services here.

If you're ready to book a workshop, head straight here:

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Teachers: 20 Ways to Reduce Gender Bias at School | Think or Blue

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Teachers play a critical role to prevent gender bias and gender stereotypes in the classroom. Use these 20 tips to reach gender equity in school.

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This safe space kit provides tips and tools to create safe spaces and a safe learning environment for students, those specifically in the LGBTQ+ community. All of the tips in here are great ways to support students and create a safe place. This is geared towards high school aged students, but could be used in the middle grades as well.

GLSEN. (2016).  The Safe Space Kit: Guide to Being an Ally to LGBT Students.

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A big takeaway here was that accommodations "should be addressed from an equity standpoint, not an equality standpoint". This also focused on bias in assuming ability levels of students. This could be by assuming students can't do something just because they have an IEP or a disability. This is important to note, because we shouldn't assume from the start or make decisions for students until we have actually gotten to work with them. Strategies seen here can be used across the board.

Cooper, T. (2017). Conquering Teacher Biases Against Disabilities: Important Strategies. The Educator's Room.

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Last week, I wrote about teacher bias against special education students: a topic that struck a chord for many teachers for a variety of reasons. How can we achieve equity in education with biases in place? The answer? We can't. But there are ways to help deal with biases, whether our own or someone else's. This time, let's go through each bias one-by-one and determine solutions that are realistic for teachers. But first, you must address your own implicit biases and own them so that you can take positive steps forward. Ready? Okay. Let's go.

Addressing Teacher Bias in Beliefs about Rewards

Many teachers are against reward-systems even for regular education students, but add that system to a child with an IEP who has behavioral challenges, and feathers get ruffled pretty quickly. The truth is, when it comes to rewards, the right types of rewards communicate a pressure for a person to engage in specific behaviors according to Ryan, Mims, and Koestner (1983). So, what are the right types of rewards? Verbal rewards, where you give explicit positive feedback, can actually enhance competence and increase intrinsic motivation, according to Deci, Koestner, and Ryan (2001). Tangible rewards, say Deci, et al., such as prizes, pizzas, candy, etc., would work only if the student is actually engaged in the behavior being rewarded, and can be given under certain contingencies, such as the student engaging in a certain task over a certain period of time. However, the most positive impact occurs with verbal rewards provided that they are explicitly stated and not just general, "good job" types of reward statements. Your best bet is to find as many positive (true) things to say about all students, but especially those with behavioral or learning difficulties in order to keep them motivated. As such, they are just as deserving of academic and social praise as any other student and should be rewarded at reward ceremonies as much as any other deserving student, regardless of whether or not they hold an IEP that keeps them at an equity standpoint with their peers.

[bctt tweet="Verbal rewards can actually enhance competence and increase intrinsic motivation" username="EducatorsRoom"]

Addressing Biases in Relation to Accommodations

Some teachers hesitate when it comes to accommodations and modifications on a child's IEP and may balk at the idea of it. However, this should be addressed from an equity standpoint, not an equality standpoint. So, Johnny might not receive any accommodations and make a 90 in the class while Jimmy receives a few accommodations that allow him to also make a 90 in the class. Is that so wrong? What if you worked your hardest and all you could ever make was a 70 while someone else, with greater capability than you, worked less hard and made a 90? Is that fair? The statement in my classroom is that fair isn't always equal. It's like if I went to a concert and stood behind a bunch of tall people (I'm super short). Is it a fair and equitable experience for both of us? NO. In fact, it's quite annoying and makes me less likely to attend future concerts. Do you want your students to feel like it's pointless to attend your class because, at their best, they will achieve far less than their peers? I doubt it. And if you're short like me, you'll understand the reference. Providing accommodations and modifications makes for an even playing field where all "concert-goers" get to see the concert and experience it with, hopefully, the same amount of joy.

Addressing Beliefs about Ability Levels and Behaviors

Finally, teacher bias is observed in teachers' beliefs about the ability levels and behaviors of students with disabilities. There are teachers who believe students with academic and behavior problems will increase their workload and reduce the efficacy of teaching. While there is no doubt that students with behavioral difficulties can present a challenge in the classroom, that does not mean that you will not reap rewards from teaching these children. Nor does it mean that these students don't belong in the classroom. According to research conducted by Nelson, et al. (2004), it is true that academic achievement deficits often exist in students with emotional/behavioral difficulties. They also state that effective interventions must be presented for these students early on to help ameliorate the deficits that will occur over time without effective interventions. Fortunately, there are some great websites out there that provide fantastic interventions for students with behavioral challenges. Intervention Central is my personal favorite website because you can search practically any behavior and find numerous interventions to attempt to help the student find success in the classroom. To help track academic growth for all students, easyCBM is a free resource that can be used for any grade level in reading and math. If you want to pay, it unlocks more features, but I find tracking growth and showing the students their charts to be an effective way to encourage academic success over time. With both of these resources, the interventions and resources are good for all students and should be a regular part of your classroom instruction, not just something extra to do. In fact, plenty of students without IEPs experience behavioral and academic difficulties that can be addressed through these resources and more.

Final Notes

None of these points are meant to express that teachers do not want the best for their students. In fact, a vast majority of teachers believe they are doing what is best for their students, but may need some extra training to help with those students they are less comfortable teaching. In order to get to that place where extra training is effective, though, teachers must first decide they need a little extra help. These articles are meant not to undermine teachers but to ensure we all address the biases that occur everyday in our lives. Without us carefully monitoring our own biases, we can do very little to fix them.

References:
Deci, Koestner, & Ryan (2001). Extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation in education: Reconsidered once again. Review of Educational Research 71(1), 1-27. Nelson, J. R., Benner, G. J., Lane, K., & Smith, B. W. (2004). Academic achievement of K-12 students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Council jor Exceptional Children, 71 (1), 59-73. Ryan, Mims, and Koestner (1983). Relation of reward contingency and interpersonal context to intrinsic motivation: A Review and test using cognitive evaluation theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45(4), 736-750.

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Conquering Teacher Biases Against Disabilities: Important Strategies

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There are ways to help deal with biases, whether our own or someone else's. This time, let's go through each bias one-by-one...

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The five tips in this article are great suggestions that couple with the tool kit to create a safe space and learning environment for LGBTQ+ students.
These tips can be used for almost any age. The organization one might be better suited for high school however.

Barile, N. (n.d.). 5 things you can do to support your LGBTQ students. WGU.

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During the past school year, two different people told me they decided to become teachers in part because they hoped to support LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) students. The odds are that all classrooms include LGBTQ students, although many aren't yet comfortable being open about their sexualities or gender identities.

It's important for schools to be welcoming places for all students. After all, as the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) notes, "public schools often lead the way for the broader society in modeling inclusiveness and pluralism." Here are some steps teachers can take to ensure LGBTQ students feel safe, welcome, and included in their classrooms.

1. Post Safe Space Signs

You can designate your classroom a "safe zone" through stickers or posters on your classroom door. This lets students know that you're LGBTQ-friendly, and are willing to challenge anti-LGBTQ language or harassment. In addition, the AFT states that safe zone stickers let students know that teachers, counselors, and administrators are "open to discussion of LGBTQ issues in the context of classwork or just in conversation."
Further reading: New Types of Extracurricular Activities: The Culture Club
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) biennial National School Climate Survey revealed that "the safe space campaign, like enumerated antibullying policies, makes a tremendous difference in LGBTQ students' perceptions that their schools are safe and that their teachers are adults they can trust." My students have told me that seeing the sticker on my door just makes them feel better. Teaching Tolerance notes that a safe zone sign posted in your classroom or office "signals to LGBTQ youth that you've got their backs."

2. Start an LGBTQ Organization at Your School

The AFT points out that school-based extracurricular groups have the "potential to shape school climate, address inequality, and affect student performance." LGBTQ student organizations show great promise in "reducing discrimination against LGBTQ students, promoting their well-being, and fostering safe and affirming school environments." These groups provide support for LGBTQ students, and they can help create awareness in schools and help to counteract discrimination. They can also ensure that school policies and curriculum are inclusive. Offering to start such a group at your school or becoming an advisor for an existing one can help ensure that students have positive experiences at school.

3. Stand Up Against Homophobia

GLSEN reports that research has shown "LGBTQ youth face bullying at significantly higher rates than their peers, and the consequences, such as increased rates of suicide, can be heartbreaking."

Educators can help change that. GLSEN provides lesson plans on bullying, bias, and diversity that teachers can use to help educate their students. Students of all ages sometimes use homophobic words or expressions in the classroom. It's important for teachers to let students know that such speech is unacceptable. Teaching Tolerance provides an activity guide to help teachers handle remarks like this in the classroom.

4. Integrate LGBTQ Topics into the Curriculum

The Human Rights Campaign suggests that teachers integrate LGBTQ people and topics into the classroom. When assigning topics for science, history, and art, be sure to include LGBTQ people like Harvey Milk (politician) or Alan Turing (computer scientist). GLSEN also provides an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum so that students can see themselves in their lessons, and so all students can have an authentic understanding of the world around them.

5. Pursue Professional Development

Workshops and professional development with experts can help to ensure that your school is inclusive, safe, and affirming for LGBTQ youth. Effective professional development can help to educate staff on how to handle harassment and bullying, and it can provide a place to share resources and best practices to ensure safe and respectful schools.
Further reading: Creating an Engaged and Positive Classroom Culture
Schools should be a safe and welcoming place for all students. These steps provide a great starting point for ensuring LGBTQ students are well-supported in schools so that their experiences are happy, healthy, and educational.

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5 Things You Can Do to Support Your LGBTQ Students

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During the past school year, two different people told me they decided to become teachers in part because they hoped to support LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) students. The odds are that all classrooms include LGBTQ students, although many aren't yet comfortable being open about their sexualities or gender identities.