GSA Advisor - Lawrence School

Each school in the Public Schools of Brookline, except BEEP, offers the opportunity for students to join GSA (Gender, Sexuality Alliance or Gay-Straight Alliance, depending on the school) beginning in 5th or 6th grade. GSAs are intended to serve as safe spaces for youth who identify as LGBTQ or as an ally. GSAs are student-led groups managed by teacher facilitators that provide an inclusive place for students to meet and:

• Support one another and gain greater insights on their personal experiences
• Learn about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
• Work to end harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ students

Three typical functions of a GSA include providing support, building community, and taking action to create change within the school. Examples of topics that may be discussed include gender roles and stereotypes, issues the LGBTQ students face within the school, and projects aimed at creating a safe, welcoming and accepting school environment for all students. 

Curriculum is drawn from Teaching Tolerance (tolerance.org), PFLAG (pflag.org), and GLSEN (glsen.org). We strive to create a safe space for community building and learning.

Adult facilitators are expected to:

Grades 5-8

• Facilitate GSA meetings 1x weekly
• Serve as a liaison to guidance counselors for LGBTQ students who are struggling emotionally and/or academically
• Collaboratively work with colleagues and school leadership to organize professional development opportunities for faculty on LGBTQ issues & how to support students better
• Plan and organize student visits to BHS’s “LGBTQ Day of Dialogue”
• Organize a group to march in the Pride Parade or other school-based Pride Month celebrations
• Work collaboratively with school leadership to intervene in LGBTQ harassment issues that may arise at the school
• Use out of school time to stay abreast of the latest research, language, social events, related current events, and historical events that define and impact the LGBTQ community
• Use out of school time to thoughtfully plan GSA student meetings,  activities, and draft communications for the school community __ educators and families

STIPEND: Unit A; $1,821