Description
This book argues that issues of sexual diversity are inextricably interwoven into the basic concerns of pre-service teacher education. How do we make our students aware of assumptions regarding masculinity, femininity, and sexuality that arise from what is presented, represented, or omitted from curricula and classroom practice? What do we say about homophobia and heterosexism as we anticipate the administrative hierarchies, school cultures, parent and community politics they will encounter as teachers? What special challenges might face a teacher (straight or gay) who discusses sexual orientation in a high school classroom, or responds to a homophobic remark in the hallway or the cafeteria? How should we prepare a teacher for a parent conference with two moms or two dads? The essays in this volume range from an analysis of gay stereotypes in teacher education textbooks, to a discussion of queer multiculturalism, to personal accounts by lesbian and gay teacher educators and heterosexual allies who are challenging homophobia and heterosexism in their own classrooms and programs. All agree that education for sexual diversity is as important as education about all other forms of difference, and that future teachers need to know how to create safe spaces for lesbian and gay students, along with the children of gay families who are increasingly a part of the classroom landscape.
About the Author
Rita M. Kissen is associate professor of teacher education and women's studies at the University of Southern Maine. She is the author of The Last Closet: The Real Lives of Lesbian and Gay Teachers.
Reviews
This groundbreaking collection, written by preeminent educational scholars, theorists, and practitioners, will forever redefine how current and future generations of teachers, school administrators, and pre-service teacher educators view issues of sexual and gender diversity in overall teacher training programs and classroom pedagogy. It will help to end the often-deadening silence by setting a higher standard for the promotion of truly democratic schooling within a larger diverse society. Getting Ready for Benjamin will go a long way in helping our schools welcome not only Benjamin, but also Sally and Khyati, Carla and Kalman, Nehal, Dachia, Courtney, Bob, and Kenji, as well as all their many peers. -- Warren J. Blumenfeld, Editor, Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price Editor, International Journal of Sexuality and Gender Studies
Getting Ready for Benjamin is a very important book that delivers an exquisite set of articles for an education practitioner at any level. Although a collection of articles, each is a delight to read and provides food for thought. This work is finely nuanced, clearly written, theoretically competent and should be a must for every teacher. I am grateful for the author for producing a book I can use in my education classes. -- Didi Khayatt, PhD, associate professor, faculty of Education, York University
This book is an important addition to the growing literature on LGBT issues in education. Rita Kissen has crafted a timely, comprehensive, and practical anthology that should be required reading for all K-12 educators and Teacher Educators. -- Pat Griffin, University of Massachusetts
First-person narratives along with more scholarly essays create an inclusive and highly readable book for use in teacher education courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. * Journal Of Gay & Lesbian Issues In Education *
This volume pulls together persuasive research about the heterosexist knowledges that pervade the school and teacher education curriculums. It is a valuable resource for teachers who need to get ready for . . . children and adolescents of 'queer' families who will no doubt give their teachers a run for their money. * Teaching Education *
This book represents a moment for which many of us in teacher education have been waiting. Here is an anthology that addresses the needs of teacher educators, pre-service teachers, teachers, administrators, counselors and school staff as we attempt to do more than discuss, debate, and/or defend and sympathize with victims of sex and gender prejudice. These scholars, some of the most informed in the field, have presented us with revealing analyses of school cultures and given us insightful prescriptions for teacher education as we work to further fair treatment of individual differences in ways that can create safe and democratic school learning environments. This is a very important contribution to our understanding of both what is and of what is possible. -- Glorianne M. Leck, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Youngstown State University and a past president of the American Educational Studies Association
Book Information
ISBN 9780742516779
Author Rita M. Kissen
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 422g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 155mm * 16mm
About the Author
Rita M. Kissen is associate professor of teacher education and women's studies at the University of Southern Maine. She is the author of The Last Closet: The Real Lives of Lesbian and Gay Teachers.
Reviews
This groundbreaking collection, written by preeminent educational scholars, theorists, and practitioners, will forever redefine how current and future generations of teachers, school administrators, and pre-service teacher educators view issues of sexual and gender diversity in overall teacher training programs and classroom pedagogy. It will help to end the often-deadening silence by setting a higher standard for the promotion of truly democratic schooling within a larger diverse society. Getting Ready for Benjamin will go a long way in helping our schools welcome not only Benjamin, but also Sally and Khyati, Carla and Kalman, Nehal, Dachia, Courtney, Bob, and Kenji, as well as all their many peers. -- Warren J. Blumenfeld, Editor, Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price Editor, International Journal of Sexuality and Gender Studies
Getting Ready for Benjamin is a very important book that delivers an exquisite set of articles for an education practitioner at any level. Although a collection of articles, each is a delight to read and provides food for thought. This work is finely nuanced, clearly written, theoretically competent and should be a must for every teacher. I am grateful for the author for producing a book I can use in my education classes. -- Didi Khayatt, PhD, associate professor, faculty of Education, York University
This book is an important addition to the growing literature on LGBT issues in education. Rita Kissen has crafted a timely, comprehensive, and practical anthology that should be required reading for all K-12 educators and Teacher Educators. -- Pat Griffin, University of Massachusetts
First-person narratives along with more scholarly essays create an inclusive and highly readable book for use in teacher education courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. * Journal Of Gay & Lesbian Issues In Education *
This volume pulls together persuasive research about the heterosexist knowledges that pervade the school and teacher education curriculums. It is a valuable resource for teachers who need to get ready for . . . children and adolescents of 'queer' families who will no doubt give their teachers a run for their money. * Teaching Education *
This book represents a moment for which many of us in teacher education have been waiting. Here is an anthology that addresses the needs of teacher educators, pre-service teachers, teachers, administrators, counselors and school staff as we attempt to do more than discuss, debate, and/or defend and sympathize with victims of sex and gender prejudice. These scholars, some of the most informed in the field, have presented us with revealing analyses of school cultures and given us insightful prescriptions for teacher education as we work to further fair treatment of individual differences in ways that can create safe and democratic school learning environments. This is a very important contribution to our understanding of both what is and of what is possible. -- Glorianne M. Leck, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Youngstown State University and a past president of the American Educational Studies Association
Book Information
ISBN 9780742516779
Author Rita M. Kissen
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 422g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 155mm * 16mm
