Prior Conference Years

Trans Children in Today’s Schools: A Time of Upheaval
The increased societal visibility of transgender children and teens in pre-K-12 schools has placed the topic of gender diversity squarely on the table. School communities – employees, leadership, and caregivers – are often hard-pressed to understand the needs and experiences of these students and even more challenged to respectfully address the needs, concerns, and fears of others. It is all the more challenging when resources are difficult to find, and as societal volatility ramps up unchecked. How does one discuss aspects of gender diversity in schools in ways that honor and respect all members of a school community. Join author and educator Aidan Key as he touches on the personal, social, legal, political, educational, and religious implications that come with creating more gender-inclusive schools.

BIO
Speaker, author, and educator, Aidan Key’s work centers on gender diverse children. Key, founder of Gender Diversity, works nationally with hundreds of K-12 schools and youth-based agencies providing professional development, strategic planning, policy development, athletics guidance, and education for parents and students. TransFamilies.org, also founded by Key, is a national organization providing support and resources for families of gender-diverse children.

Key is the author of the seminal book, Trans Children in Today’s Schools, (Oxford University Press) and a contributing author to both editions of the anthology Trans Bodies, Trans Selves. Aidan was named Community Leader of the Year by the Greater Seattle Business Association (2017) and Seattle Magazine’s Most Influential People of the Year (2019) and whose media appearances include The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, DiversityIS, and NPR’s Fresh Air.

Navigating the Path Together: Educators and Parents Thriving Against Adversity in Sex Education
During this session participants will explore how sexuality educators and parents can collaboratively address the challenges and controversies surrounding sex education. We explore ways to create a positive learning environment that empowers young people while respecting and addressing parental concerns and fears. We will discuss strategies for open, constructive dialogue while maintaining personal/professional boundaries to ensure students are receive essential knowledge.

BIO
Dr. Tanya M. Bass is the Founder of the North Carolina Sexual Health Conference and President/CEO of Optics to Action, a newly established organization specializing in professional development for human service professionals. She also serves as the lead instructor for Human Sexuality at her alma mater and Historically Black College/University (HBCU), North Carolina Central University, in the Department of Public Health Education. Her commitment to educating the next generation of sexuality and public health educators is evident in her work as an adjunct instructor for several years. Dr. Bass completed her doctoral studies at Widener University and holds certifications as a Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE) with the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), as well as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. She also serves as Vice President of Membership of AASECT and is a member of the editorial board for the American Journal of Sexuality Education.

Holding Your Own In A Disinformation Storm
Description: Led by a communications strategist with over 15 years experience in political campaigns, this session will support educators responding to disinformation in sex ed, whether they are responding to school administrators, other educators or parents. We’ll break down the anatomy of a disinformation campaign, why it’s happening, and how you can employ a 360 degree response that gets the facts out and keeps morale up.

BIO
Jess McIntosh is a national communications strategist, regular on-air cable news political analyst, and former co-host of the award-winning SiriusXM radio show Signal Boost. Jess is a consultant to progressive candidates and organizations looking to strengthen their social impact through message strategy, media training, combatting disinformation, and story development. With over 15 years of campaign experience, Jess has worked at every level of American politics. She served as a senior communications advisor to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, where she directed outreach to influencers and served as a national spokesperson. Her writing about politics and gender has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, ELLE Magazine, Refinery29, Shondaland, The American Independent, Lenny Letter, and more. Jess lives in Brooklyn with her partner and a rescue puppy who recently decided he was going to be 80 pounds.

Teaching Sex is NOT Complexed!
The seemingly uphill battle that sex educators have had to endure for decades has finally made it center-stage. Although politics, social media and a variety of personal beliefs have made that spotlight difficult; it presents us with an opportunity rather than knocking us backward. Join 2018-19 Past President of SHAPE America Judy LoBianco as she presents a fun and factual look at the optimistic future of Sex Ed in our schools.

BIO
Judy LoBianco taught for 10 years at the high school level in the South Orange-Maplewood School District in NJ as a health and physical education teacher. Inspired by teaching and learning, she became the district’s Supervisor of Health, Physical Education and Nursing and led the district in that role from 2004-2017. Judy has worked as an adjunct professor at both Montclair State and Monmouth Universities in NJ, teaching seminar classes and supervising student teachers. Judy has also served in various volunteer leadership roles. She was President of the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD) in 2008, President of the Eastern District Region of the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) in 2013 and was President of SHAPE America in 2018-19. Judy LoBianco was recognized with the SHAPE America Honor Award in 2018. She was also inducted into the North American Society of Health and Physical Education in 2016. Last, but certainly not least, she was also recognized by Education Week as the 2018 Leader to Learn From. Judy currently facilitates workshops for health and physical education teachers, records podcasts and maintains a YouTube channel in her work as President/CEO of her Consulting Firm; HPE Solutions LLC.

A Crystal Queer View on Identity
Join Steph in their decolonial approach to understanding gender identity and sexual orientation through compassion, support and autonomy. This lesson centers empathy over memorization of terms/definition and is welcoming to learners across the spectrum of experience.

BIO
Steph Zapata is a well-seasoned, nationally recognized, award-winning, NuyoRican sexuality educator, & space creator. They have become a long-term catalyst for change within sexuality education through their radically intentional approaches that call out systems of oppression, and call-in individuals and communities to disrupt & reimagine what can be. Their work focuses on collective liberation tactics through innovative and honest sex ed that creates space for the whole self, and the whole truth. Steph is a self-titled Unprofessional Professional who offers no apology for the disruption of white supremacy through the joy of decolonial sexuality education. Learn more about their consulting/training services + The S.L.A.M. Conference at http://stephaniespeakshere.com/ or on Insta @RiseWSteph.

It’s Time for An AMAZE-ING Transformation: Centering Racial Justice in Sex Ed

In today’s diverse classrooms, it is essential for educators to
understand the profound impact that race has on sex
education and adolescent sexual health outcomes. This engaging session will address the importance of using a racially just lens in sex education.

The presenters will discuss perspectives that provide educators with a deeper understanding of how racial bias can affect the delivery of sex education and share practical strategies to address racial disparities in our classrooms.

This session will empower educators to:

• Recognize the importance of racial justice in sex education.
• Identify and address racial biases in teaching materials and practices.
• Create a safe and inclusive space where all students can thrive.
• Build the skills to navigate challenging conversations around race and sexuality.
• Advocate for comprehensive, racially inclusive sex education policies in schools.

Come be a part of this transformative conversation on racial
justice in sex education and discover how to create an
AMAZE-ING learning experience for every student. Together, we can build more equitable and inclusive learning environments.

BIOS

Nakisha T. Floyd, PhD, M.A.,MEd, CHES is the Associate Director for Racial Justice in Sex Education at Advocates for Youth and has over 20 years of professional experience in the field of public health with an emphasis on human sexuality education. Her areas of expertise include adolescent health and racial and ethnic health and disparities. She uses a social and racial justice lens, and trauma-informed best practices to develop initiatives and strategies that meet the needs of communities.

Nakisha earned her doctoral degree from Widener University, where she completed her dissertation, “Constructing Man: A Grounded Theory Study on How Black Men Conceptualize Their Own Manhood and Masculinity.” She holds a Master of Education degree in Human Sexuality Education from Widener University, a Master of Art in Health Education and Promotion from East Carolina University, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from North Carolina Central University. Nakisha is also a nationally Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Brittany Broaddus-Smith, LSW, MEd is the Senior Program Manager, Health Equity at Advocates for Youth. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Millersville University; a Master of Social Work from Temple University; a Master of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University; and she is currently working on a PhD in organizational leadership. She is also a licensed social worker.

3Rs Google Classroom

Materials from Advocates for Youth’s Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs) free sex ed curriculum have been adapted for use in Google Classroom. There is a course for Grades 5/6th, Grade 8 and High School and each course has 10 or 11 lessons. The Google Classroom is designed for teachers to assign to their students who are not meeting in real time (meaning on a specific date/time), but instead are assigning work to do independently. For anyone new to using Google Classroom, here is a quick video tutorial that might be helpful.

If you’re interested in receiving an email inviting you to copy the 3Rs Google Classroom, please sign up here:

advocatesforyouth.org/googleclassroom

Invitations are sent out every 24 hours.

3Rs Google Classroom

Materials from Advocates for Youth’s Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs) free sex ed curriculum have been adapted for use in Google Classroom. There is a course for Grades 5/6th, Grade 8 and High School and each course has 10 or 11 lessons. The Google Classroom is designed for teachers to assign to their students who are not meeting in real time (meaning on a specific date/time), but instead are assigning work to do independently. For anyone new to using Google Classroom, here is a quick video tutorial that might be helpful.

If you’re interested in receiving an email inviting you to copy the 3Rs Google Classroom, please sign up here:

advocatesforyouth.org/googleclassroom

Invitations are sent out every 24 hours.

3Rs Google Classroom

Materials from Advocates for Youth’s Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs) free sex ed curriculum have been adapted for use in Google Classroom. There is a course for Grades 5/6th, Grade 8 and High School and each course has 10 or 11 lessons. The Google Classroom is designed for teachers to assign to their students who are not meeting in real time (meaning on a specific date/time), but instead are assigning work to do independently. For anyone new to using Google Classroom, here is a quick video tutorial that might be helpful.

If you’re interested in receiving an email inviting you to copy the 3Rs Google Classroom, please sign up here:

advocatesforyouth.org/googleclassroom

Invitations are sent out every 24 hours.