Caron and Bishop speak to PPH about why teachers aren鈥檛 implementing Maine policy supporting LGBTQ education
Sandra Caron, professor of family relations and human sexuality, and Penny Bishop, dean of the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, were interviewed by the for an article about why many teachers in Maine are not incorporating LGBTQ education in the classroom despite Maine policy supporting the curriculum. Caron says affirmation and representation should start early, calling in the fourth 鈥渞鈥 of classroom instruction 鈥 reading, writing, arithmetic and relationships. 鈥淭eaching children about acceptance and diversity is always age-appropriate. Kindergarten kids are learning to treat others, including those who are different, with kindness and respect, and to expect that for themselves.鈥 However, the current deeply polarized political climate across the nation and in Maine makes it difficult for teachers to incorporate such lessons into their curriculum. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always been a complicated time to be a teacher. From evolution to religion to racism, being a teacher is often about having challenging community conversations about controversial topics,鈥 Bishop says. A new, not-yet-published University of Maine graduate school study done in conjunction with Equality Maine found only about a quarter of the schools sampled have LGBTQ education policies in place. The and shared the Portland Press Herald report.