In this episode Teaching While Queer host, Bryan Stanton (he/they), speaks with San Antonio Theatre Teacher, Abe Ramirez (he/him). Their discussion covers everything from growing up a pastor's son to the moment he realized that teachers genuinely care for their students.
Have you ever tried to navigate self-discovery while juggling the challenges of being a pastor's kid and a military brat? Today, we invite you to sit down with us as we get up close and personal with Abe Ramirez, a high school theater director who shares his profound journey of understanding and owning his queer identity. Our conversation takes us back to Thomas Jefferson High School, affectionately known as 'the Rainbow School,' where Abe first found solace and acceptance amongst friends in middle school theater.
As we journey through Abe's life, we uncover his struggles with identity, stifled expressions, and the courage it took to finally own his sexuality in his junior year. We delve into his experiences at a dance camp where he pushed boundaries and found inspiration in a dance coach who taught him to balance masculine and feminine dancing. His experiences, challenges, and victories give us a glimpse into the reality of navigating queer identity in a world that often demands conformity.
As we traverse the path of being queer educators, Abe shares invaluable insights into the trials he faced in the workplace. With candor, he talks about the discomfort he experienced from the administration, students, and community, and how he maintained his queer identity while adapting to his environment. His journey serves as a beacon of hope to many LGBTQ educators, underscoring the importance of being brave, advocating for oneself, and maintaining authenticity. This episode is more than just a podcast, it's a tribute to bravery, authenticity, and the power of self-expression. Get ready to be inspired, to laugh, to learn, and to see the world through Abe's vibrant eyes.
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