Chapter 7: Preparing to Enter The Field: Reflections From Preservice Teachers on Learning to Work With LGBTQ Youth

Teaching is such a difficult profession, for so many reasons. We are responsible for providing content knowledge to students who probably are not really interested in learning our content. Besides that, we spend our days dealing with teenagers who are trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do with their lives in the future. LGBT students, along with all students, are often struggling with their identity during high school. LGBT youth often feel like they are different and that they do not fit in. As teachers, we are the ones who are there to support these kids for the majority of the day. We have the responsibility to be there for students and support them as they go through this process. Teachers give students support when they do not have any other adults to encourage them to become better people and find success. I think that this makes teaching such a rewarding job, but it also places a great responsibility on us as teachers.