A Queer School Counselor on LGBTQ Student Support | Ep. 210 (with Daniel Clark)

Daniel “Dan Dan” Clark joins Queering Education live from the NJEA Carol Watchler LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Conference to discuss LGBTQ-inclusive teaching, school counseling, and creating truly inclusive classrooms where students feel seen, supported, and safe. As an openly queer school counselor, Daniel shares how visibility, authenticity, and relationship-building can transform a student's experience in school.From discovering his path into school counseling to navigating today's political climate, Daniel offers a grounded look at what it means to support LGBTQ students while balancing mental health, academic success, and career readiness. He also reflects on the power of representation, why safe spaces matter, and the responsibility educators have to show up authentically for young people.In this episode, you'll learn: How queer educators can create visible and meaningful safe spaces  The difference between school counseling and traditional therapy  Why representation matters for LGBTQ students  How school counselors support student mental health and academic success  What educators can do when facing pushback or resistance  Why community and collective action remain essential in education For educators, counselors, school leaders, and anyone committed to building inclusive schools, this conversation is a reminder that visibility matters and that students are always watching.Follow, share, and subscribe to help more educators build classrooms rooted in belonging, safety, and authenticity.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