Ally Teacher’s Tool Kit for teachers to support LGBT students

Did you know that about 70% of LGBT children have experienced bullying at school? It’s challenging to truly understand what LGTB students go through at school, especially during puberty when they start to realize their sexuality. That’s why schools must become one of the safe havens for LGBT children. For that to happen, teachers need to be their allies.

The reality, however, is that many teachers are unsure what to do when it comes to LGBT children at school, even though concerns on LGBT have risen in recent years. A survey shows that only 10% of school teachers have related training, and most are still at a loss on how to face these children when they come to them for advice about their issues.

Under such circumstances, NPO ReBit developed an “Ally Teacher’s Tool Kit” that supports teachers on LGBT students to deepen their understanding of them. Through it, teachers can learn about the basics of LGBT children and how to deal with their problems, and even how to create classes that are psychologically safe for them. The tool kit can be used for personal e-learning or teacher training sessions, while videos can be downloaded or ordered free of charge.

Released on March 1st, this initiative is the third installment from ReBit. The first version for the junior high school was released in 2017, and the second version for elementary school was released the following year. These versions have been played over 60,000 times by schools and boards of education nationwide, and their efforts were awarded with a Good Design Award in 2019.

The “Ally Teacher’s Tool Kit” guides teachers to become an “Ally” who understands LGBT. The video of approximately 40 minutes provides a hands-on experience with LGBT children, guiding them through children’s problems and what they can do as teachers. There are also printable worksheets and handouts.

Furthermore, ReBit issues a certificate of completion to teachers who have completed a questionnaire, indicating that the participant has attended the training. If a teacher presents the certificate in the classroom, children will know that the teacher is an “Ally.” After the course, graduates can participate in an online community, which regularly holds online events such as study sessions to deepen their understanding. It also exchanges meetings to create connections between Ally teachers, and holds counseling sessions where teachers can consult each other when they need to.

ReBit hopes that the kit will increase the number of “Ally” teachers who understand LGBT children so that schools will become a safer and securer place for LGBT children in the future.