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This article this week was interesting for me since I am not a very political person. However, it discussed the growing anxiety among LGBTQ+ students following the election of President-elect Donald Trump, especially in light of his campaign promises to roll back protections for transgender individuals. Many LGBTQ+ students, particularly those who may already feel isolated or vulnerable, are feeling even more fearful about their safety and well-being. The increase in crisis hotline calls suggests that the uncertainty about the future has created a lot of emotional distress for these students. I think schools must step up and create an environment where LGBTQ+ students feel safe and supported. Teachers can make a big difference by listening to their students’ concerns and making sure they know they are valued. It's also important for schools to have clear policies that protect all students, including LGBTQ+ students, from discrimination and bullying. These students need to know that there are trusted adults in their schools who care about their mental health and safety. I also feel strongly about this because this is an ongoing issue for some of my family members.

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Even though I am am elementary educator, this article reminded me that no student is too young to recognize their identity, and that I may have some students in my placement who are currently experiencing these feelings but have not openly expressed or understood them yet. As an educator, I come in everyday with the socioeconomic status, parental status, learning levels and many other factors of my students in mind. I use this information to tailor an environment in which students feel safe, supported, and seen. No student, regardless of their identity, should face discrimination or discomfort in a school setting. Administrative figures may feel nervous or unsure about LGBTQ+ youth, but that does not give them the right to make students feel afraid in what should be a safe space. I am actively informing myself and collaborating with other fellow educators to establish an environment in which all students feel safe, recognized, and free of judgment. I preach love and respect to my students, and emphasize that the classroom is a safe space for EVERYBODY to be treated how they would want to be treated. This article truly reminded me of the fact that I am not just a teacher, but also a support system to most students, for a variety of reasons.

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I found this week's hot topic article to be very thought-provoking. As I've mentioned before, my placement is in a kindergarten class, so I don’t typically witness struggling or anxious LGBTQ+ students on a daily basis, let alone those experiencing "post-election induced anxiety." I consider myself a very receptive person when it comes to voicing concerns and showing empathy; however, I found it challenging to fully connect with or understand this topic on a deeper level.

That said, I completely agree with the article's points about the importance of teachers protecting the well-being of all students and ensuring that school remains a safe space where they can be their authentic selves. The past few elections have been highly contentious, and the political divide has only intensified, which has, in turn, contributed to heightened anxiety levels among young people in general, and the LGBTQ+ community in particular.

As a heterosexual female, I can’t fully grasp what it must be like for these students, but as an educator, I am committed to offering support through resources and creating an environment where I can be trusted and always willing to listen.

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This article made me reflect on my responsibility as a future educator. While it's clear that policy changes and societal attitudes are a big part of the challenges LGBTQ+ students face, I now feel even more motivated to create a classroom environment where every student feels valued, respected, and seen for who they are. I know that making an effort to foster inclusivity, have open conversations, and provide resources for students in need will be critical in helping to reduce the mental health risks faced by LGBTQ+ youth. I also plan to stay informed about resources like The Trevor Project and GLSEN so I can be a better support system for my students. Overall, this article was a powerful reminder that, as teachers, we must focus on academics and actively create spaces of safety and acceptance for LGBTQ+ students. Their well-being must be a priority, and we must listen, affirm their identities, and offer the emotional support they need during times of fear and uncertainty.

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This week's hot topic on LGBTQ+ was very heartbreaking. To receive, 4,000 class in the matter of six days is hard to even comprehend. To live in fear of what can happen to you simply because of who you love is something no one should have to deal with. I strive to be the teacher my students feel like they can come to with these concerns and that my classroom is a safe place for them even when they are no longer my students. I will be teaching first grade come January, I am not so sure this will be something I will be actively dealing with. However, they may come to me when they reach the year they begin to get crushes.

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This article was about how LGBTQ+ students will be affected because of the election results. It saddens me to think that students are having worries this big at such a young age. Reading this article made me start to think of ways to be supportive of my students dealing with these struggles. Something I never really considered was students having these struggles at the elementary level. However, it is very possible and I should be prepared for this as a teacher. I want to be the most supportive I can. I think, depending on what the administration thinks, a good thing could be an in-school club or meeting with other LGBTQ+ students. I believe it should not be after school, but during since it depends on how the family at home feels about these topics also. Giving kids the outlet to speak about this and make friends with other students like them can offer them a lot of support and let them know they are not alone. It's a sad reality that this is something we all have to be considerate of and think about. I believe the only support we can do is making sure the students feel safe and welcomed in the classroom, and that they know they can come to their teacher for support.

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This week's hot topic article discusses how LGBTQ+ students are affected by this year's election. The article talks about how various hotlines such as the Rainbow Youth Project and the Trevor Project have experienced a sudden spike in calls, where they have to start putting people on hold due to the sudden spike. It hurts to see how children's anxiety and fear about a change in federal leadership is affecting their physical and emotional safety in and outside of school. Schools are a safe haven for some students to express who they are freely. Some students may be "out" at school but not at home or in other environments. It's important to make sure all students feel safe and heard. We can do this by creating safe, inclusive environments and talking about different resources available for those who are experiencing HIB or need mental health support. When I attended high school, we didn't have a large population of students who were "out" and were part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, for students who were and to make the environment safe for everyone, my school had a Gay-Straight Alliance club to show the school and students that our school is a safe space for students to express themselves. Being there for our students and making sure they all feel valued is something that we all need to take into consideration during this time.

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Reading this article made me think about how much the recent election has affected LGBTQ+ students, and it’s heartbreaking to realize the anxiety many of them are feeling. The article talks about how hotlines like the Rainbow Youth Project and The Trevor Project have seen a spike in calls, showing just how much fear students are experiencing. As teachers, it’s so important that we create safe spaces for our students, especially when they’re going through something tough. I liked how the article highlighted simple ways we can support LGBTQ+ students like using inclusive language and displaying LGBTQ+ symbols in the classroom. It also reminded me how crucial it is to have resources like crisis hotlines or counselors available. The article reinforced that as educators, we need to make sure all students feel safe, heard, and valued. It’s something I want to be more mindful of in my own classroom.

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It breaks my heart to think of all members of the LGBTQ+ community who are terrified over the 2024 election. The sad reality is that there is a lot to be anxious about. It’s more important than ever to make sure that students who are part of this community feel safe and protected in our classrooms, even if districts are choosing to drop protective policies. The first step is ensuring that our classrooms are safe spaces, using inclusive language, and being diligent in enforcing anti-bullying policies. This is yet another topic that shows how important it is to actually get to know your students—they need to know that they can come to us, be themselves with us, and share what they’re going through. As teachers, we can provide emotional support and make sure that our classrooms are communities where these students feel like they belong.

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The article by Caitlynn Peetz and Lauraine Langreo talks about how teachers can help LGBTQ+ students feel safe and supported during stressful times after elections. Many LGBTQ+ youth and their families are feeling anxious, and crisis hotlines have seen more calls for help. I feel like as a teacher we have to be there for our students especially during this time as which they feel the most targeted. I believe some things that we could do as a team would be to make classrooms welcoming and inclusive, stop bullying, and show support for LGBTQ+ students. (Creating clubs so students could come together to show their support for one another). And of course we do not know how these students homes lives are so we should just be there to listen to students, let them share their feelings, and let them know it’s okay to feel worried or upset.

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“In order for kids to learn, they have to be ready to learn, and if you can’t reach them, you’re
not going to be able to teach them” -Amy Cannava

I felt a complexity of emotions of sorrow and vexation. This is a topic that is near and dear to me. As part of the LGBTQ+ community, I have an acute grasp of the many struggles our students and youth endure. It saddens me to see such hate and disdain, although I’m not surprised as our country has a history of marginalizing groups that don’t fit the “norm” of the time. I feel agitated and powerless in my ability to help enact positive systemic change. I must focus on the things that I can do: supporting my students however possible. I also feel encouraged by the resources and support LGBTQ+ youth have available. I am grateful for the compassion shown by everyone’s posts. Thank you for being kind and considerate. Thank you for being supportive in your own unique ways. Thank you for being allies.

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​​Reading this week's hot topic about how to help LGBTQ+ students makes me worry not only about their academic success but also their well-being. Therefore, as a teacher, it is important to create a safe space for all students, especially in these times when there might be confusion and anxiety about the future. Learning about the number of thoughts of depression and suicide of LGBTQ+ students makes me try my best to help those students who are not emotionally stable. I will definitely use the resources mentioned in the article to support LGBTQ+ students in my future classroom.

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Reading about how LGBTQ+ students are affected by post-election anxiety makes me feel deeply saddened. It’s painful to think that students, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, might feel unsafe, stressed, or unwelcome due to events they have little control over. School should be a place where all students can feel comfortable and supported, yet these students are dealing with worries and fears just for being themselves.

I feel for these students and admire the educators who step up to provide a safe space. It’s encouraging to see teachers working to listen, validate, and help ease the fears these students experience, but it’s also a reminder of how much work remains. I hope that as future educators, we can continue to push for inclusivity and acceptance, so LGBTQ+ students and all students feel safe and valued.

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This week's hot topic broke my heart. To think that students are feeling this way because of the presidential elections it's insane to me. I can't imagine the impact that it has on our LGBTQ+ students. The fact that these LGBTQ+ youth crisis organizations have seen such a spike in calls since the election and a few days prior really gives you an insight into what's going on in the mind of these students. As a teacher, I can only control what goes on in my classroom and the climate in it. And I will definitely make sure my space is a safe space for all students and I will make sure my LGBTQ+ students feel heard and safe in my classroom. I like the fact that the article provided resources for us to have in our tool box for whenever we need to pull them out in our classrooms.

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After reading this week's hot topic, it saddens me to think about how LGBTQ+ students are feeling now. Based on the election's winner, I worry the students may not have the support they need, particularly in schools. As educators, it is important to show that we are still here to support them in any way we can. Small words of encouragement and acknowledgment can go a long way to help students struggling with anxiety now. We should try our best to provide emotional support for those who need it and recognize the signs associated with anxiety for the students who may be suffering in silence. Hopefully, more teachers will come to the aid of LGBTQ+ students so that they do not feel as if the entire world is against them with no one to look to for support and love.

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Teacher's should definitely try to be there for their students' and have their students' understand that you care as their educator. As an educator, you should provide your LGBTQ+ students will the proper support to let them feel safe and heard. Teachers should create a safe space for their students' and respond to anti-LGBTQ+ behaviors. When a teacher stands up for their student, the student feels valued and safe whenever they are at school or with their teacher. Often times, home is not a safe space for LGBTQ+ students, so as educators we should support them in every way possible.