The Problem
We will bring a professional trainer to do an intensive 75 minute training with parents and teachers. These people will then implement the training among young people and all adults. Young people have been instrumental in planning the project. Until August 2024 we had a transgender preschool student in our community for 3 years. Parents and teachers worked to help him be comfortable, as well as help the rest of the community with how they engaged with him and all of the students around him. Last year we implemented a similar project, where we brought a trainer on race issues. We used the same model of having a trainer teach the parents and teachers, and then these people using the concepts and language with students. The model was very effective. For the current project, young people will be deeply involved in implementation because we will be discussing gender issues with them, as part of their daily school environment. A team of community members has been planning this project, but the need for the project comes from discussion by many community members. Community members will be implementing the work by growing in their perspectives on gender, becoming more aware of the language they use, teaching children, when appropriate, about gender, and helping young people feel more comfortable to be themselves when it comes to issues that often divide, such as gender and race.
