Op-Ed
Source: Civic Media
Oct 3, 2024, 6:33 PM CST
Class is in session: Transgender and award-winning educator Sam Long discusses diversity in the classroom and challenging outdated views on Busted Pencils
Can biology be taught in a way that celebrates diversity while breaking new ground in challenging traditional norms? Transgender high school teacher Sam Long joined Dr. Tim Slekar and Dr. Johnny Lupinacci, hosts of Busted Pencils, to discuss his experience.
“Diversity is what makes it interesting to study living things,” Long explains. “My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that science should reflect the complexity of the natural world—including gender and identity.”
LISTEN to the entire podcast episode here:
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Long is a Denver-based high school biology teacher. He recently wrote about the importance of embracing biological variation in a Rethinking Schools article. He is also the co-founder of the Colorado chapter of the Transgender and Non-Binary Educators Network (TEN), where he actively trains educators nationwide on creating inclusive biology curricula.
Slekar and Lupinacci ask if Long is reimagining biology lessons by moving away from outdated classifications that label differences as abnormalities? Long explains his motivation comes from wanting to teach authentically.
“I couldn’t go into my biology classes and teach that there’s only men and women, XX and XY, when my own identity and my students’ experiences were more diverse than that,” he replies.
Long’s approach is garnering praise from students. Some have even expressed appreciation for learning about human variation and seeing their own identities reflected in the curriculum.
“One student, after a lesson on sex and gender, told me it was the first time learning about this in any science class,” Long reveals.
Beyond the classroom, Long has taken his advocacy nationwide through TEN, supporting fellow transgender and non-binary educators and working to ensure schools are welcoming spaces for all. The organization also raises visibility for trans teachers, challenging societal perceptions.
“Even adults might not realize there are trans adults, much less trans educators,” Long says. “Our visibility can show that it’s possible to be a healthy, happy transgender adult.”
For Long, Slekar and Lupinacci agree — inclusivity isn’t just about science. It’s about creating environments where every student, regardless of their identity, feels seen and valued. His work is an example how education can evolve, fostering empathy and understanding in a diverse world.
