Author: Peter Van MaarenPublisher: Paragon Publishing
ISBN: 1907611576
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 170
Book Description
This popular book has only been available in Dutch, until now. The English translation is hotly anticipated. How does a teacher, especially a gay teacher, respond to the gradual increase in ethnic minorities in the student body? My Teacher is Gay tells the story of Peter van Maaren, who recounts his experiences at a community college in Amsterdam as the school undergoes significant changes. His upbeat and sometimes disconcerting stories involve not only his interactions with students but also his fellow faculty members and school administration. As it turned out, thanks to his openness and sense of humor his sexual orientation was not an issue for most of the students and their parents. It was often much more difficult to convince his colleagues and the administrators that a gay teacher does not automatically pose a threat to the school. His goal was to show that cultivating mutual understanding, respect and tolerance can actually make a positive contribution to the learning atmosphere. By being open and honest about his identity, he achieved far more with his students than he did when the school administration ordered him to keep quiet about his orientation and try to ignore any remarks about it. The Gay Krant editorial staff in Best has received a growing number of complaints about intolerance in education. Students today are afraid to be open about their feelings, and teachers report being forced back "in the closet." In response to this alarming trend we publish interviews in the paper. Many are anonymous because the subjects are so afraid to go public. Consequently I am thrilled that Peter van Maaren is the first to come forward to share his story. A highly worth reading, and at times moving, account. Now we can only hope that politicians, policymakers and other involved parties will learn something from it. - Henk Krol, Gay Krant editor-in-chief Education is not a matter of filling a vessel. Education is certainly not a budgeting exercise for administrators. Education is about lighting a fire of wisdom and humanity. Let this book by Peter van Maaren offer inspiration to do just that. -Jan Marijnissen, floor leader of the Dutch Socialist Party Peter van Maaren, educator and author of the book My Teacher is Gay, won the Humanistisch Verbond's (Dutch Humanist and Ethical Union) special "Get Involved" ("Bemoei je d'r mee") award for "the dialogue about homosexuality, religion, personal philosophy and ethics." Winner of special 'Get Involved' Award The book My Teacher is Gay is "not only fun to read but also extremely surprising and draws attention to the fact that in many cases the problem is not so much the ethnic minority students as it is the native born faculty and administrators," according to the "Get Involved" award jury's report. Author Peter van Maaren's attempt to reassess opinions about Muslim youth through his book was one reason why he earned first prize. The Dutch Humanist and Ethical Union established the special "Get Involved" award for the sake of helping turn the tide with respect to waning tolerance for homosexuality. The award is normally given once every two years to individuals and institutions that "make a contribution towards a society in which there is greater understanding for one another Winner of special 'Get Involved' Award In a hostile environment a gay teacher needs backing, from his colleagues and the school board. A compelling story from a teacher who got support from the cultural and religious divers students and their parents but not from the management. - Boris Dittrich, Acting Director LGBT rights program Human Rights Watch.