Pride Month: How to be an ally in the classroom and beyond

MEd students Beck Watt and Alex O'Leary joined us to talk about being a 2SLGBTQ+ ally in the classroom, how to address difficult topics in the news, and bringing representation into the classroom every day.

Resources

• The Faculty of Education's Gender Diversity Resources
• 2STLGBQIA+ Lesson Plans from the Manitoba Teacher's Society
• Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Students in Manitoba Schools

Bios

Beck Watt is a tattooed teacher of music and active flutist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Beck currently teaches in Winnipeg’s inner city developing a grade 7-12 band and music appreciation program. In addition to their work within the Manitoba music community, they have been a guest speaker and lecturer on allyship and supporting transgender and/or gender diverse students in Manitoba since 2018. Beck is currently working on completing their Master’s thesis through Queen’s University exploring gender in Western instrumental music practices through the experiences of transgender and/or gender non-conforming instrumental musicians.

Alex O'Leary is finishing their Master's in World Indigenous Studies in Education while also teaching at the Junior High level in Halifax, NS. Their thesis looks at the friendships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous educators in public education and how these relationships play a role in education settings. Alex is also passionate about fostering classroom spaces where all students and staff feel seen and celebrated in all their identities.