Did you know it is not uncommon for older high school students to leave the traditional school system due to bullying or harassment, unaddressed learning difficulties, and/or an increased need for social/emotional support? LGBTQ+ students are no exception, often navigating both overt forms of bullying and more insidious microaggressions from others such as intentionally using one’s incorrect pronoun (misgendering) or name (deadnaming). As a resource for education, VT Adult Learning strives to create a safe and welcoming environment where students and staff can feel a true sense of belonging and confidently focus on their learning goals. This Pride Month, we invite you to read this article from the National Education Association about some of the challenges students and educators face, creating an ever more challenging environment for LGBTQ+ students to get the educational opportunities they deserve: Protecting LGBTQ+ Students and Educators Rights.
By understanding these challenges, we can better work together to foster inclusivity and support for every student at all levels of education.