Safe Space Training (Part 2): What is a Safe Space for you? by

Verdi E.

2025-03-06 23:21:47 UTC

A safe space in my online courses means that students are encouraged to share how things are going as well as feeling like the belong. I do alot of informal, individual check ins and offer up prompts like: share something that is going well and was there anything that you were uncomfortable with in this weeks content? I also make sure to include a variety of examples of case studies and scientists from different areas and backgrounds. I work hard to make sure that I connect with each student where there are and the check-ins have been really powerful. I have referred students to student services a few times with their permission.

Safe Space- Siuoneh D

2025-03-13 00:37:20 UTC

To me, a safe space means "come as you are"—a place where you won’t be judged or penalized for being your authentic self.

The first thing I do in my classroom is learn my students' identities, including their pronouns, and address them how they prefer—whether that’s a specific pronouns, or a different name.

A safe space goes beyond physical safety; it also includes mental and emotional safety.

I make a conscious effort to use "they" when I’m unsure of someone's pronouns and to incorporate LGBTQ+ representation in my materials, even in small ways—whether it’s a decorative image for a chapter, an announcement, or classroom visuals.

Jane Hemmerling

janehemmerling — 2025-03-13 18:28:49 UTC

To me, a safe space is where an individual can freely express themselves as their authentic, real self. This includes gender expression.

I include Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg about a trans man's journey through transition during the later part of the 20th century when there was no cultural space or support for the trans community.

safe space

2025-03-21 22:20:26 UTC

A safe space is where you can be your authentic self and speak your truth without fear of judgement or criticism. When meeting with students, I do my best to use active listening and hold space for them to express what they are needing.

Denise NT

2025-04-01 00:41:10 UTC

After living through the 80s and early 90s, experiencing the loss of too many (one was too many) friends during the AIDS epidemic, bearing witness to the treatment and exclusion that so many people had to bear just to be cared for/heard. It changed my life and how I responded to things. How I show that I am a safe person, on the surface, began with the purchase of my UTC (Until There is a Cure) cuff in 1994, I have worn it every day since. For Students, my office doors have Safe Space stickers from prior training. Both the 6-color Pride and the Progressive Pride flags are displayed. In my email communication, Zoom meeting, and business cards, my pronouns are displayed. For in-reach and outreach events, I wear a button on my lanyard that states “You are safe with me”. We hosted 7^th graders at the NCC Campus last year. This button got the attention of one of these students, they told me a bit of a story as the others checked out the Koi Pond and let me know they could not wait to be at Sierra College. I want to learn and stay informed so that I do not do or cause harm. I feel a safe space is one where someone can be themselves without fear or anxiety. A space where someone sees themself as safe, not only because of the signage. A space where someone brings others so they can also feel safe.

Safe Space

2025-04-01 01:20:14 UTC

A safe space is where students feel accepted and included. They are able to come as they are and not fear being judged. In my classroom I make sure to use chosen names, include inclusive images in my lectures, and be mindful of the words I may use as a cisgender woman.

What is a Safe Space

2025-04-02 18:45:57 UTC

A safe space embraces all aspects of diversity where people are not afraid to be themselves. It's also a place where they feel valid and validated for their beliefs, values, opinions, and expressions. Safe spaces encourage authenticity and foster personal learning and growth.

Safe Space

2025-04-03 18:36:10 UTC

A safe space is where students can be their true self and without being afraid of being judged or looked at differently. A safe space is where everyone can grow to their highest potential without any factors influencing their success. A safe space is where every one can express themselves freely and without any hesitation.

Safe space

schann5 — 2025-04-04 16:28:25 UTC

The first thing that comes to mind is physical safety: a LGBTQ+ student should be able to be physically on campus without facing harassment or violence because of others' perceptions of their gender expression. This means a stranger on campus can be trusted to let others be. In addition, safe space implies some positive support: others that you can trust to share your experiences, without always being on guard.

Marga Kelly

2025-04-08 23:26:40 UTC

A safe space is a place (physical or virtual) where every individual or group feels seen, heard, respected, supported, and welcome.

Safe Space

2025-04-09 22:11:38 UTC

Is a place of safety where you do not feel you will be judged, but rather that you will feel safe, seen and supported.

Safe Space

2025-04-10 02:19:17 UTC

For me, a safe space is a place where any student can feel confident in the knowledge that they are safe ...to be their authentic self without fear or judgment or harassment. This means that I will do my best to be conscious of their individual identity and pronouns as well as provide a positive environment to safely grow and thrive. It also means that I will listen, support, and encourage when needed.

Kent Fortin - What is a Safe Space?

2025-04-12 00:11:36 UTC

A safe space is somewhere that a student knows s/he/they will be free from judgment about who they are. In the context of inclusivity in a school setting, it means that they can express elements of their identity - gender, sexuality, religious belief - with the explicit knowledge that they will be accepted, that they won't be negatively judged or subject to negative repercussions as a result. I'd think that this means freedom from microaggressions or unwanted attention as a result of these expressions of identity. I like Carl Rogers' idea of "unconditional positive regard" as a way to capture this.

What is Safe Space

2025-04-13 16:45:10 UTC

I'm a counselor here, and once had a student tell me that she was hesitant to see me because I didn't have a Safe Space sticker in my window (but thankfully felt good about our experience). That surprised me. I thought that since she knew I was a counselor, she would know that I would be accepting and caring. It was a good lesson that I didn't fully understand her life experiences. A safe space is where our students don't have to look for a safe space sticker, but feel accepted and cared for anyway. Since that isn't the reality, I'm happy for this training so students can come to me and feel safe and supported.

Laura M

2025-04-14 20:53:57 UTC

A safe space is where everyone can be themselves exactly how they are and feel confident that others will see their full self without judgement. Rainbow flags, stickers, or Pride Center buttons can indicate to others that you are a space person in the space.

Ellie N

2025-04-16 17:15:19 UTC

To me, a safe space is somewhere where you feel both seen and loved. I think that this involves prioritizing students' needs and interests and treating each student with dignity, respect, and kindness; where students can feel heard without fear of judgement.