On this episode of Working Well, NCSSLE Training Specialist Melanie Goodman speaks with Peter DeWitt ED.D. He was an elementary school teacher for 11 years, a principal for 8 years and the 2013 School Administrators Association of New York State's (SAANYS) Outstanding Educator of the Year. Today he runs workshops, coaches school leaders, and provides keynotes focusing on collaborative leadership, fostering inclusive school climates, and connected learning. He is also the author of several books and writes the Finding Common Ground blog published by Education Week. In this far-reaching conversation, Peter, who is gay, shares how he got hooked on teaching as a young man, how his desire to keep his gay identity separate from his professional identity evolved over time, that he sees himself first and foremost as a learner and a communicator, has inadvertently become a role model for other LGBTQI+ educators, and much more.

0:40 - Introduction.

1:50 - Personal academic challenges.

2:40 - Student teaching.

3:59 - Importance of mentors.

4:50 - Coming out as gay.

8:30 - Challenges of being an out teacher.

10:40 - Feeling comfortable with himself.

12:30 - Being a role model.

14:55 - Advocating for LGBTQ+ staff and students.

18:45 - Being hopeful.

21:01 - Social emotional learning.

22:55 - Importance of asking questions.

23:37 - Barriers in education.

25:01 - Inclusivity.

27:49 - Defining leadership.

29:40 - Importance of being a learner.

31:35 - Closing.

Working Well is brought to you by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) at the American Institutes for Research. This podcast is funded by the US Department of Education. If you'd like to learn more about NCSSLE, visit safesupportivelearning.ed.gov. For all questions or feedback, you can email us at NCSSLE@air.org.

Thanks for listening. Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the US Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the US Department of Education.