167. If Other Teachers Get to Do It, So Can I: One Queer Band Director’s Fight for Equal Treatment

“If other teachers get to do it, why can’t I?”Band director Rachel Colby lives this question every day as a proudly out bisexual teacher in rural Virginia. In this episode, we dive deep into the joys and risks of LGBTQ+ visibility in schools, the daily dance between honesty and self-protection, and why setting boundaries with students is an act of love—not fear.You’ll hear:The real stories behind being the “first” out queer teacher for so many students, and what that responsibility feels like.How Rachel uses humor, food swaps, and “malicious compliance” to resist double standards and create truly affirming spaces.Actionable tips for queer teachers and allies on navigating bi-erasure, supporting trans students, and building resilient classroom community.If you’re a queer educator, LGBTQ+ teacher, or ally seeking a roadmap to authenticity and resilience in education, this episode is for you.Tap play to hear Rachel’s wisdom and join the fight for joy, justice, and visibility in every classroom.Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in education, educator burnout, book bans, workplace discrimination, tokenism, doxing, and advocacy—while sharing practical strategies for building inclusive classrooms, affirming school cultures, and safer learning environments. Episodes center gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and Two-Spirit educators, with conversations on gender identity in schools, anti-bullying practices, mental health, and community care. This podcast supports educators who feel isolated and offers solidarity, tools, and hope for LGBTQ+ teachers working across K–12 and higher education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Support the showQueering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices.This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community.Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me.Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education