GLSEN NEO Educator Training Set

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network of Northeast Ohio (GLSEN NEO) will host a three-day training on March 23, 24 and 25 at Case Western Reserve University for future facilitators interested in assuring that all K-12 schools are safe for ALL students. Unfortunately, even though today's society is more socially accepting of LGBT people, relationships, and rights, some schools for students are still unsafe environments.

For this reason, professional development for K-12 educators and staff members is necessary. Ohio's Dept. of Education has mandated that school districts provide anti-bullying training yearly for teachers, yet this does not mean that LGBT students' welfare or safety is ever addressed. With GLSEN NEO's newly formed Educator Training Team, the organization will be able to offer the resources and trainings needed to help assure that students are not teased, bullied, or ostracized because of their gender expression, gender identity, or perceived or identified sexual orientation.

Fortunately, many schools in Northeast Ohio have made tremendous strides to create safe environments for their LGBT students and straight allies by establishing Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) and implementing strategies recommended by GLSEN's own Safe Space Kit (www.safespacekit.com). The Educator Training Team's ultimate goal will be to guide schools on how to put the Safe Space Kit into practice.

This year GLSEN NEO announced the leadership of two new co-chairs Jeff Bixby and Gary DiBianca after the death of former chapter leader Gene Ashley. DiBianca, a high school teacher, has been working with GLSEN NEO for five years during which time he has organized the chapter's five youth conferences while also participating in educator trainings. Bixby comes to the chapter as the former co-chair and founder of GLSEN Cincinnati and the co-chair of the LGBT Caucus for the American Federation of Teachers. Upon retiring from 30 years as an elementary school teacher in Cincinnati Public Schools, he has returned to Northeast Ohio and has served on the Board of CANAPI, Community AIDS Network & Akron Pride Initiative, and now joins GLSEN NEO to continue the great work he has done for the LGBT community at both the national and regional level.

Since September 2011, GLSEN NEO has hosted a Youth Conference, established a Youth Leadership Team and provided professional development opportunities for area school districts and pre-service teachers. With the development of the Educator Training Team, the organization will extend GLSEN's mission of making even more Northeast Ohio schools safer places for ALL students.

To become part of GLSEN NEO's Educator Training Team and attend the Training Session on March 23, 24 and 25, send an email to gary@glsennortheastohio.org. For more information about GLSEN Northeast Ohio or to make a donation to this important organization, visit www.glsen.org/northeastoh.