Post submitted by Cheryl Greene, Director of HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools Program

Educators are facing tremendous challenges this year as they head back to school. Virtual and hybrid learning environments are presenting new challenges to educators who want to create welcoming and affirming classroom communities from day one of the school year. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program decided to ask the most important people in elementary schools, our students, to share their tips on how educators can create a sense of belonging for them and their families as we begin the 2020-21 school year.

Listen to elementary students Cooper, Amelia, Jonah and Hildie share what they are looking forward to, concerns they have as this school year begins and what a welcoming school means to them.

HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the nation's premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to welcome diverse families, create LGBTQ+ and gender-inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying and support transgender and non-binary students.

What a welcoming school means to me is….everything.

Jonah

Welcoming Schools is now offering virtual training for schools. Our Checklist for a Welcoming School has many tips to help educators develop LGBTQ and gender-inclusive classrooms and schools:

For more strategies and resources, visit the HRC Foundation Welcoming Schools website. Welcoming Schools is here to support you during this incredibly challenging school year.