California Educator

MARCH 2011

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CTA workshops and resources can help Resources for addressing GLBT bully- ing in your school include CTA trainings, legal education and scholarships for teachers who promote understanding. These include: GLBT Guy De Rosa Safety in Schools Grant and Scholarship Program The grant and scholarship program was created to promote human and civil rights by making our public schools safe for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. The grants support projects and present at ions that promot e understanding and respect for GLBT persons, while the scholarships support members enrol led in a teaching/ counseling credential program who are pursuing a career in public education and who understand the importance of GLBT educators as role models in our public schools. For online information, see www.cta.org/safety-in-schools. Legal Rights for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Employees and Students California law is clear and sweeping in its protection of gay and lesbian em- ployees and students from discrimina- tion because of sexual orientation. In addition to a brochure that is frequently updated and can be downloaded from the website, CTA also offers a wealth of information on GLBT protection in the members-only section of the website at www.cta.org/glbt-legal-rights. (You must log in to access this information.) CTA GLBT Issues Conference CTA’s annual GLBT Conference held in October addresses GLBT issues involving educators, students and the community. This conference is open to all CTA members and serves as a venue to discuss a variety of subjects affecting the entire memb er s hip and Ca lif o r ni a’s youth. Details will be forthcoming on CTA’s website at www.cta.org/conferences. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Leadership Development Program The CTA Human Rights and Com- munity Outreach Department coordi- nates the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Leadership Development Program to promote the value of GLBT members’ involvement at all levels with- in the association. For more informa- tion, see www.cta.org/glbt-leadership. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth: Breaking the Silence This training provides participants with strategies for reducing hostilities towards gay and lesbian students and teaches ways to create a safe free learn- ing environment for all students. In ad- dition, participants will learn what their Chapters and Service Centers can do to promote tolerance and understanding of these issues. For more information, see www.cta.org/breaking-the-silence. CTA Training: Bullying 101 and 102 Every day in our schools, students and teachers are teased, threatened and tormented by bullies. Ignoring bullying creates a climate of fear, hostility and vi- olence. Learn how to recognize bullying, examine its characteristics and find out what you can do as educators to prevent bullying among your students. Partici- pants must attend 101 prior to attending 102 in order to fully understand and participate. Contact your chapter presi- dent or primary contact staff to arrange the training through CTA’s Human Rights Department. Let’s Get Real CTA members may receive a deep dis- count on Let’s Get Real, a documentary and curriculum guide on bullying and discrimination that provides an effective way to intervene and stop school violence. To order, contact CTA Human Rights con- sultant Reena Doyle at (562) 942-7979 or visit www.cta.org/lets-get-real. Harvey Milk Day, May 22 In October 2009, Gov. Schwarzeneg- ger signed a bill to create a state day of recognition for gay civil rights leader Harvey Milk, to be observed on Harvey Milk’s birthday, May 22. Resources for observing the day in classrooms can be found on CTA’s website at www.cta.org/ harvey-milk-day. “Bully Free: It Starts With Me!” A new initiative of the NEA Human and Civil Rights Department, the “Bully Free: It Starts With Me!” campaign aims to identify caring adults in our schools and communities who are willing to stand out as someone pledged to help bullied students. For more information, see www.nea.org/bullyfree. “As long as GLBT kids are still being bul- lied, I feel it’s important to educate the educa- tors,” explains Sue Cirillo, co-chair of CTA’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Is- sues Advisory Committee. The committee has initiated and promoted many of CTA’s ef- forts, including the annual GLBT Issues Con- ference in the fall. @ Ask an educator Have questions about how to handle GLBT bullying? Write us an e-mail at editor@cta.org. Other California educators who make up CTA’s GLBT Issues Advisory Committee will help answer your questions. MARCH 2011 | www.cta.org 17

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