Professor Jama Shelton and Professor SJ Dodd recently received the “Best Note,” award for their article entitled, “Teaching Note—Beyond the Binary: Addressing Cisnormativity in the Social Work Classroom,” published in Volume 56, Issue 1 of the Journal of Social Work Education.
The article explores how social work educators are responsible for ensuring their students are equipped to rise against social injustice. Therefore, the marginalization of transgender, genderqueer, and nonbinary people and communities must be addressed in the social work classroom. Contextualizing the social work classroom within cisnormativity, this article reports on the ways social work classrooms may perpetuate the marginalization of transgender, genderqueer, and nonbinary populations. Practical recommendations for recognizing cisnormative practices and creating transgender-inclusive classrooms are provided.
One great thing about SSW is becoming part of a community with some brilliant, compassionate social workers. I built a network of people that I can still call upon for career advice, emotional support, and resources for my clients.