It's Elementary in Appalachia: Helping Prospective Teachers and Their Students Understand Sexuality and Gender.

Abstract

Abstract The most blatant discrimination that exists today in schools is that directed toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex students (1/g/b/t/i/q). English and language arts teacher education programs can help foster critical awareness among future teachers of sexuality and gender as well as provide the pedagogical skills and curriculum resources to bring these issues into their classrooms. Using Debra Chasoff's film It's Elementary as an entry point, the author demonstrates how children's literature and related resources are used in a teacher education program in Appalachia. The language arts classroom can be a space where students discuss 1/g/b/t/i/q literature, confront the cultural naturalization of heterosexuality, and reflect on their role as critical educators.