Professional Development for School Staff

Through the professional development workshops listed below, HiTOPS empowers educators, professionals, and families with the information, tools, and strategies to ensure that schools and workplaces are affirming for all.

• Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE)

• Exploring Identities and Intersectionality

• Deconstructing Gender Roles

• A Deeper Dive into the Transgender Experience

• LGBTQ+ History and Legislation

• LGBTQ+ Family Building

• “Say What?” How to Have Affirming Conversations with Youth of All Ages

• Sex Positivity

• SOGIE 2 – Reflections and Review

• Supporting LGBTQ+ Students in NJ Schools – Laws and Policies Overview

Workshops may be done as a series or as a one-time offering based on your needs and interests. We are happy to discuss the development of new and additional workshops. Other methods of implementation are listed below.

SOGIE Retreats for Leadership and Staff

HiTOPS can implement professional development and training in half-day, full-day, and two-day professional development retreats for school/organization leaders and select stakeholders. In these longer intensives, attendees can expect to engage in the content listed above, synthesized and tailored to meet your site’s needs.

SOGIE Ambassador Series – “Train the Trainer”

In our SOGIE Ambassador Series, leadership identifies important stakeholders—ambassadors—with diverse roles to engage in a series of learning which would equip participants to be the on-site experts for all things SOGIE. It is recommended that participants’ roles vary; for example, for school sites, principals, counselors, nurses, teachers, coaches, support staff, etc. would all be included in the small group. Participants undergo a learning series which would equip them to be the “first line of defense” internally for the various departments within an organization. Participants would engage in the professional development learning content listed above, gain access to resources they can share with other professionals, be trained to lead SOGIE trainings and conversations, and be able to consult with HiTOPS staff as needed.

Click HERE to download a printable Workshop Summaries PDF.

Click HERE to download a printable Ambassador Series PDF.

For more information, contact Thomas Foley at tfoley@hitops.org.