Led by Graciela Slesaransky-Poe and Michael Roach

This workshop will offer a “safe” space to explore and learn from and with each other critical concepts and practices on how to “Foster a Sanctuary for All” with a particular emphasis on welcoming, including, and affirming gender expansive, gender non-binary, and transgender students, families, and educators.

Dr. Graciela Slesaransky-Poe:

Graciela Slesaransky-Poe, Ph.D. is a Professor and the Former Founding Dean of the School of Education at Arcadia University. Building on her background and expertise on inclusive practices for students with disabilities, Graciela has been helping schools and school districts develop safe, welcoming, inclusive, and affirming schools for gender expansive, gender non-binary, and transgender students. Her work has received several awards and recognitions, including the most recent “2017 Champion of Social Justice”award given by the PEAL Center, for her education, advocacy, and leadership. Graciela lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, and is the proud parent of two amazing children, her real teachers.

Michael Roach:

Michael Roach is the lead teacher of one of the newest mixed-age preschool classrooms at the Parent Infant Center, a NAEYC-accredited 4-star Keystone Stars ranked program center in West Philadelphia. He is especially interested in helping create early childhood spaces that welcome gender, racial and cultural diversity. As an educator and an advocate who identifies as a gender nonconforming man, Michael has presented at schools and conferences around the Philadelphia area. He is currently completing his Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education at Arcadia University.