Courage in the Classroom: LGBT teachers share their stories

Book excerpt: We are all at our most effective when we can be ourselves at work, but more than half of LGBT teachers hide their sexual identity within their school workplace. For LGBT teachers, vigilance, concealment and assimilation, take a great deal of energy, on top of what is already a very demanding job. This book is essential reading for any LGBT teacher aspiring to succeed as their authentic self. It will also be of interest to Headteachers and other education leaders seeking to make their schools safe and inclusive workplaces for their LGBT staff and LGBT families. Based around the inspirational work of the Courageous Leaders programme, this book turns on its head the notion that it can be difficult to be a leader in school and be LGBT. Through personal testimonies, advice and a rousing call to arms, this book shows how LGBT School Leaders are often amongst the most inclusive, creative, adaptable and intuitive colleagues, when they are able to flourish and be their authentic selves.