STEFANI BLACKMON Teacher, Hillgrove High School in Cobb County
Being selected as an Atlanta Pride Festival Grand Marshal solidifies my continued commitment to teaching tolerance. This recognition gives me a stronger voice and access to more resources as an LGBTQ ally. The highest praise a teacher can receive is to have the message in class make its way home. Hearing from students and their parents that I in some way helped to navigate them through the tumultuous teenage years, is a wonderful gift. When students comfortably vocalize their status as a member of the LGBTQ community in my class, I know I am doing my job. I am inspired by their bravery and honored to teach them.
I am a wife, a mother and an educator living and teaching in the Cobb County area my entire life. Approaching my 20th year of marriage with my high school sweetheart in 2016, my 20th year of teaching in the fall of 2015, and my son’s 16th birthday in August, this is a time of reflection. All people should be allowed to feel the power and wonder of a family united not just by love, but also by law. After years of LGBTQ advocacy within my classroom, I am happy to co-sponsor the Hillgrove High LGBTQ+ club with my colleague, Kelly Colvin, after she was asked by students for sponsorship. We are the “plus”. We are their allies. LGBTQ are just letters until someone points out the face and the name of the person representing each symbol. This person sits beside you in class. This is my role. When our club signs are taken down, we replace the signs. When we get complaints over our rainbow club shirts, we walk with a bigger and brighter rainbow. We must be the catalyst for awareness. What type of teacher would I be to do otherwise? I am honored to be this person.
Photo ©2015 Tim Wilkerson | www.FeedYourEyes.net
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