This year, queer educators didn’t just survive — we built something that can outlast the moment. 🌈 In this reflective solo episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) revisits the major themes that shaped 2025 for LGBTQ+ teachers: quiet resistance, authentic storytelling, and the radical act of joy. From the Teaching While Queer Educators Conference to episodes that redefined advocacy, Bryan invites listeners to pause, reflect, and name the impact they’ve made — even when no one was watching.

This episode is for every LGBTQ+ educator, school counselor, or ally who needs a reminder that strategy and community—not perfection—are what sustain us.

You’ll learn:

• How “quiet power” became a model for queer resistance in 2025
• Why self-care isn’t enough — and what true institutional support looks like
• The revolutionary lessons from the Teaching While Queer Educators Conference
• How storytelling is strategy, not an afterthought
• Why joy is a professional and political act

About Our Host:

Bryan Stanton (they/them) is the founder and host of Teaching While Queer, an educator, theatre artist, and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools. Their work centers on helping educators find sustainable, justice-rooted ways to show up fully—without erasing themselves in the process.

Call to Action:

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

💬 Share this episode with one educator who needs it

🖥️ Visit teachingwhilequeer.org

📱 Follow @TeachingWhileQueer

Keywords: queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive classrooms, quiet resistance, teacher burnout, queer storytelling, educator community, queer joy in education

Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!

This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is for educators — especially queer teachers, principals, and school leaders — who care deeply about real inclusion and belonging. Bryan Stanton (they/them) unpacks how well-intentioned “inclusive” classroom practices often end up reinforcing Christian dominance, sidelining Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, and secular families. Together, we’ll examine how public schools perpetuate cultural erasure under the banner of “neutrality,” and what authentic pluralism can look like in action.

You’ll Learn:

• How “inclusive” school traditions often reinforce Christian cultural norms
• Why neutrality isn’t neutral — and how law, culture, and faith intersect in public schools
• What exclusion looks like for Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, and secular students
• How queer educators can model pluralistic inclusion rooted in justice and empathy
• Concrete strategies for creating classrooms that honor all identities and beliefs

Call to Action:

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

💬 Subscribe & leave a review to support queer educators

🌐 Visit teachingwhilequeer.org

📱 Follow @TeachingWhileQueer

Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!

Keywords: inclusive education, queer educators, religious diversity in schools, pluralism in classrooms, decolonizing education, Christian dominance in schools, LGBTQ teachers, holiday inclusion

This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For music and performing arts educators striving to create affirming spaces for every student — this episode is for you. Bryan (they/them) sits down with Dr. Justin Caithaml) (they/them), Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Bridgeport, to explore how gender, sexuality, and policy intersect in the music classroom. Together, they unpack how queer educators can balance authenticity, safety, and advocacy — both for themselves and their students.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to design inclusive classroom “policies” — from pronouns to physical space to performance practices
• Why separating imagined harm from actual harm matters for LGBTQ+ policy decisions
• Ways administrators can better protect and empower queer educators
• How music and theatre can model gender expansiveness and disrupt harmful binaries
• Why “being bold” and visible creates space for the next generation of queer educators
• 
  

About Our Guest:

🎵 Dr. Justin Caithaml (they/them) is an Assistant Professor of Music & Music Education at the University of Bridgeport. A nonbinary and bisexual scholar, their research explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, discourse, and policy in music education. Their work advocates for affirming practices that allow both teachers and students to thrive authentically within educational systems.

Listen & Connect:

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts

💌 Subscribe and leave a review to support queer educator storytelling

🌐 Visit teachingwhilequeer.org

📱 Follow @TeachingWhileQueer

🛍 Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!

• Book: Honoring Trans and Gender Expansive Students in Music Education by Joshua Palkki & Matthew Garrett
• Book: Who’s Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler (2024)
• Article: Jones, Hard and Soft Policies in Music Education
• Dr. Caithaml’s Research: University of Bridgeport Faculty Page

queer music education, inclusive classrooms, LGBTQ teachers, gender-affirming schools, performing arts equity, nonbinary educators, educational policy reform

This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is for school librarians, elementary educators, and district leaders who want to create truly inclusive and affirming library spaces—without fear or burnout. Bryan (they/them) sits down with Bec Anderson (they/them), a nonbinary librarian from Kansas, to talk about what “Reading the Rainbow” really means, how librarians can push back against book bans, and why visibility matters in small communities.

Key Takeaways:

• How to build a library collection that mirrors your students’ lived experiences
• Practical ways to make queer and diverse representation visible in subtle, safe ways
• The power of book choice as a pathway to empathy and lifelong learning
• How administrators can support librarians during book bans and budget cuts
• Why inclusive books benefit all students, not just marginalized ones

About Our Guest:

Bec Anderson (they/them) is a Title I school librarian in central Kansas with seven years of experience in education. Formerly a fourth-grade teacher, Bec now leads the “Reading the Rainbow” initiative—helping librarians and teachers ensure their collections reflect the full spectrum of student identities. They’re currently pursuing a master’s in Library Science and advocate fiercely for inclusive, student-centered literacy practices.

Resources & Links:

• “Reading the Rainbow” session notes from Teaching While Queer Conference (available soon)
• We Need Diverse Books initiative — https://diversebooks.org
• American Library Association: ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom

Listen: wherever you get your podcasts

Subscribe: to Teaching While Queer

Visit: teachingwhilequeer.org

Follow: @TeachingWhileQueer

Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!

This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.

Keywords: inclusive literacy, queer librarians, book bans, diverse classroom libraries, LGBTQ education, equity in schools

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does real allyship look like when the stakes are high? In this powerful episode, Bryan (they/them/elle) talks with Françoise Thenoux (she/ella) — also known as @TheWokeSpanishTeacher — about how educators can move from performative allyship to courageous co-conspiracy through inclusive, non-binary Spanish language and classroom practices.

🌈 You’ll hear:

• How non-binary and gender-neutral Spanish is reshaping classrooms across the Americas
• Why true allyship requires risk, courage, and community
• Practical steps for educators to create linguistically and queer-affirming spaces
• The story of one student who changed Françoise’s entire approach to teaching

This episode is for allies, language teachers, and anyone working to make schools more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students and educators.

👉 Subscribe, review, and visit teachingwhilequeer.org or follow @TeachingWhileQueer for more inspiring stories.

Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!

This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.

Keywords: queer pedagogy, inclusive Spanish, LGBTQ+ educators, gender-affirming classrooms, allyship in education, non-binary language, linguistic justice

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to be a queer teacher in a faith-based school? In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with author and ritual designer Bill Hulseman (he/him) to explore his path from Catholic school teacher to educational leader to full-time ritualist and writer.

• Navigating authenticity and inclusion as a gay man in Catholic education

• How ritual, faith, and teaching intersect to shape culture and community

• Lessons on burnout, conscience, and leaving the classroom with integrity

• The story behind Bill’s new book Carry the Casket and Wanting to Say the Mass

This episode is for queer educators, faith-based teachers, and allies reflecting on identity, vocation, and resilience in education.

Find links and resources at teachingwhilequeer.org and follow @TeachingWhileQueer for updates.

Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!

This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.

Keywords: queer education, LGBTQ+ educators, Catholic schools, inclusive teaching, authenticity in education, queer spirituality, teacher burnout

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) reflects on the inaugural Teaching While Queer Educators Conference, held on October 11, 2025—a global gathering of queer educators, allies, and advocates transforming education through authenticity and collective care.

• “Belonging isn’t just entering the room—it’s redesigning it.”

• How storytelling became a tool for organizing, resistance, and liberation

• Lessons from sessions on union power, media strategy, and affirming visibility

• Why cultural shifts must come before policy shifts—and how to make both happen

• The joy, kinship, and courage that sustain queer educators everywhere

This episode is for queer teachers, allies, and anyone committed to creating inclusive, affirming, and liberatory classrooms.

Find links and upcoming conference archives at teachingwhilequeer.org and follow @TeachingWhileQueer for updates.

Keywords: queer education, LGBTQ+ educators, inclusive teaching, queer pedagogy, gender-affirming classrooms, liberatory education, educator conference

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.