Creating safe spaces for LGBT+ students in schools – Aine Byrne Youth Education Worker, CKLP
Teachers from across Kildare recently participated in training organised by County Kildare LEADER Partnership and delivered by KYS, to support school staff in deepening their understanding of issues facing LGBT+ students.
Over the course of the two sessions, delivered via zoom, staff considered biases which may exist towards LGBT+ students and how that might impact upon those students experiences of the world, and especially school. Staff were also encouraged to consider how welcome and included LGBT+ students feel within their school community.
Maura Littlewood and Dave Ryan from KYS facilitated the group through the training, which had been planned to take place in April, but had to be postponed due to restrictions. Moving this training online provided many challenges for the staff from KYS, as normally in a training like this, personal reflection and learning occur not only through the training delivery, but also through peer learning in the group setting. However, the training was skilfully delivered, and as with many situations in 2020, everybody adapted to the virtual setting.
There were a limited number of places available on the training, delivered in November 2020, but if any personnel working in schools are interested in participating in similar training in 2021, please feel free to contact Áine Byrne – Youth Education Worker in County Kildare LEADER Partnership to discuss. Email: aine@countykildarelp.ie .