Educator Retreat

Each January, GLSEN Boston holds a weekend-long retreat to support educators who wish to be open and out in their school communities. The retreat is open to LGBT and straight ally adults working in any school system (pre-K through college). The Retreat provides networking opportunities, information about policies and rights, and strategies for building personal and professional support networks.

This year's Educator Retreat was held January 25-27, 2008. Here's what some of the participants had to say about the experience:

I recommend attending GLSEN Boston Educator’s Retreat. Having recently attended myself, I can testify to the self-affirming power participating in this retreat can bring. As is common knowledge among LGBT people, the process of coming out is both frightening and life-long. No matter how many times we have come out - and come out with what may be surprisingly positive responses - our need never ends for gathering spaces where we can safely work together on continuing to affirm our identity. The GLSEN Educator Retreat is just such a place."
- Jesse Mavro Diamond

"The educators' retreat has left me with so much to think about, and new questions to ask and answer. Most importantly, I am leaving Provincetown feeling refreshed and with a sense of calm and renewed vigor to take back to my school and classroom. I also feel connected to a broader community of inspiring educators who are incredibly committed to their students and their work, and to a process of lifelong learning and personal growth. This weekend has been an incredible gift for me, and I thank you a million times over for all of the planning and energy that went into making it possible. I look forward to continuing to reap the benefits of GLSEN Boston's uniquely powerful and focused trainings and events, from wherever in the world my professional life takes me."
- Kara Wentworth

who:
The retreat is open to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender adults and straight allies working in any school system, pre-k through college who wish to explore the issues of coming out and being out in a school environment.

what:
Network with other GLBT educators and talk about:

:: Becoming an agent of change in the classroom and beyond

:: Dealing with being out or "in the closet," and how to support others

:: Explore and support the important role of straight allies in creating safe environments for educators and students

Engage in powerful dialog and learning in workshops on:

:: Personal and professional issues in coming out

:: Creating change in schools

:: Oppression, privilege and social justice

Questions? Contact us!

31 Heath Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
P: 617-536-9669
F: 617-238-2467
glsenboston@glsenboston.org