In this episode, Stella is interviewed about the important role school counselors, supportive teachers, principals, and staff are for transgender and non-binary students. Melissa shares her professional experiences working with trans students. Together, they offer insight to inclusive practices. *Fun fact, Stella and her mom, Lisa, co-host the Queerest Book Club Ever.
Queerest Book Club Ever meets the second Monday of every month at King’s Books. This book club is geared towards queer and trans youth, aged 10-16, but is open to all. We read fiction (mostly Middle Reader to Teen), nonfiction on queer and trans issues, and coming-of-age narratives, all with a social justice focus. Hosted by My Purple Umbrella. Each month, the selected book is available for purchase at King’s Books. To see what we’re reading this month, go to the main Events page. For questions, contact Lisa.
Guest Interviewer: Melissa Porter
Presently serving as the School Counselor at Washington Elementary in the Tacoma School District and Instructor in the Principal Certification Program at Pacific Lutheran University. Melissa began her career in education as a middle school counselor and has practiced, in a non-profit setting, providing grief and loss services for individuals experiencing a life-threatening illness or that traumatic death of a loved one. During her career in Tacoma, she served as a School and Family Liaison in the School, Family and Community Partnership Program and was honored as the Outstanding Child Advocate of the Year for the City of Tacoma.
Book suggestions:
- Jacobs New Dress by Ian and Sarah Hoffman
- I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
- From the Stars In the Sky to the Fish In the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom
- Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis
- Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley
- Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
- George by Alex Gino
- Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
- They Call Me Mix / Me Llaman Maestre by Lourdes Rivas
- Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
- Prince and the Knight by Daniel Haack
- Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
- Jamie Is Jamie by Afsaneh Moradian
- Jerome By Heart by Thomas Scotto
- Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
- Lovely by Jess Hong
- Neither by Airlie Anderson
Links
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS