Professional Development and Next Steps
Invitation to Connect
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or brilliant ideas about these modules. I’m also happy to help tailor the content to better fit the needs of your students, clients, or curious minds. This is a work in progress—emphasis on the progress—so your feedback is not just welcome, it’s essential.
Professional Development and Zoom Series
Teaching, Affirming, and Recognizing Trans*+ and Gender Creative/Expansive Students
Contact me to create any of these modules.
sj.miller@sfcc.edu
about gender identity justice in schools and communities. New York: Teachers College Press. © 2019 by
sj Miller is licensed under
CC BY-SA 4.0
Professional Development and Zoom Series
Series 1: Introduction to T*+GC/E Topics in pre-K–12 Schools
This series introduces language use and usage that affirms and recognizes T*+GC/E identities. We will unpack complex language and apply it to real-time classroom practice.
Unpacking Germane Language and Terms
Students bring nuanced identity-situated language to classrooms that can be unfamiliar to educators. This session reviews terms so they can be applied in classrooms, practices, and policies.
Gender and Sex
This session explores the differences between gender and sex and how these differences shape the lived realities of students.
T*+GC/E 101 (names, pronouns, etiquette)
Strategies for inviting dialogue about identity self-disclosure and encouraging students to be their authentic selves in classrooms.
Reflecting on and Understanding Cisgender Privilege
Activities and discussions that promote awareness of body-type privilege and how this understanding can shift curriculum and practice.
T*+GC/E Microaggressions
Students experience dozens of microaggressions each day. This session identifies common examples and strategies to support students and mitigate harm.
Series 2: Trans*+ing Curriculum and Practice
This series focuses on how to shift curriculum and practice to be inclusive of T*+GC/E identities.
Trans*+ing Literacy Practices (crossing disciplinary lines)
Develop non-linear, high-interest literacy practices that support students across contexts.
Developing (a) Gender Self-Determination (2 weeks)
Drawing from the Queer Literacy Framework (Miller, 2016), this session explores principles that lead toward gender self-determination.
Understanding Intersectional Trans*+ and Gender Creative/Expansive Students
Strategies to support T*+GC/E students of color, students with disabilities, and students from varied religious backgrounds.
Teaching, Affirming and Recognizing Trans*+ and Gender Creative/Expansive Students
Participants reflect on experiences of invisibility vs. recognition and learn practical steps to affirm and recognize students.
Auditing and Shifting Curriculum to be Inclusive
Guidance for reviewing curriculum to ensure equitable representation of gender identities.
Series 3: Shifting School Culture and Climate
This series focuses on examining and improving school culture and climate to support T*+GC/E students.
Shifting Policies and Practices
Review of school, district, and state policies to ensure equitable rights and protections for T*+GC/E students.
Disrupting Trans*+ and Gender Creative/Expansive-Focused Bullying
Participants reflect on anti-bullying policies and create action plans for change.
Bathrooms, Locker Rooms, and Playgrounds
Deep dive into policy, safety, and equitable access to school spaces.
Creating School Environments for External and Internal Safety
Evaluating classrooms, curriculum, and pedagogy to promote both external and internal safety.
Working with Parents, Administrators, and Staff
Strategies for engaging stakeholders with varying levels of awareness or resistance.
Series 4: Resources for Parents, Teachers, School Staff, and Administrators
Resources that promote socio-emotional and psychological well-being for T*+GC/E students.
Books, Films, Videos Featuring Trans* and Gender Creative/Expansive Students
Lists of media and discussions on representation.
Transgender History and Its Role in Schools
Overview of transgender rights, identity politics, and historical erasure.
Expanding Language Practices
Strategies to support identity fluidity and affirming language practices.
Community Engagement
Building partnerships with local, state, and national organizations.
Series 5: Building Partnerships Across National and International Contexts
Building partnerships to understand T*+GC/E student experiences and sustain change.
Learning about Language and Identity in Different Spaces
Dialogue with participants about diverse contextual challenges and experiences.
Developing Innovations and Supports to Sustain Change
Sharing strategies that have successfully shifted school climate and culture.
Leveraging and Sharing Resources
Participants exchange impactful resources and practices.
Developing Research for Sustainable Changes
Brainstorming future research projects, presentations, and collaborations.
Addressing LGBTQIA+ Topics and Concerns Related to Trauma-Informed Care
- This PowerPoint[Link removed — replace with updated file link]
- Assignment that can be used and modified[Link removed — replace with updated file link]
Module Purpose
This professional development module equips allied health professionals with tools to better understand and support LGBTQIA+ individuals through trauma-informed, integrative care.
Core Focus Areas
- Whole-Person Health Model
- Integrates physical, mental, and social health.
- Emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care over fragmented services.
- Intercultural Competency & Cultural Humility
- Advocates for continuous self-reflection.
- Acknowledges power dynamics and systemic inequalities.
- Trauma in LGBTQIA+ Populations
- Identifies unique forms of trauma including microaggressions, medical abuse, and discrimination.
- Introduces two frameworks:
- Minority Stress Theory
- Microaggressions as trauma
- Age-Specific Trauma Insights
- Youth: bullying, pushout, suicide ideation.
- Adults: discrimination across systems.
- Seniors: isolation, medical mistrust, lack of affirming care.
- Intersex Community Spotlight
- Trauma caused by non-consensual surgeries.
- Need for bodily autonomy and inclusive healthcare policy.
- Chronic invisibility in LGBTQIA+ and medical conversations.
- Trauma-Informed Care Practices
- The five pillars: Safety, Trust, Collaboration, Choice, Empowerment.
- Tailored practices for:
- Queer youth
- Trans and gender-diverse individuals
- Queer people of color
- Intersex people
Key Learning Objectives
- Identify and address trauma in LGBTQIA+ clients.
- Use integrative strategies across the Eight Domains of Whole-Person Health.
- Develop affirming and culturally humble care plans.
- Support clients in developing sustainable coping mechanisms.
Culminating Case Study: Samiyah
- A trans girl facing school-based trauma and systemic neglect.
- Learners develop integrative care plans for:
- Samiyah and her family
- Professional colleagues in different health domains
- Emphasizes practical application of whole-person health and cultural humility.
Assignment
- Create and present two integrative care plans via video (5–7 minutes each).
- Apply trauma-informed care across systems using real-world resources.
Resources Provided
- Extensive research citations from GLSEN, The Trevor Project, SAMHSA, Human Rights Watch, and the Williams Institute.
- Links to frameworks, trauma-focused practices, and healthcare equity materials.
