I quit my dream job as a high school English teacher at the end of the 2023 school year. I loved my job, I loved my students, but I didn’t love the state of education in Florida, or indeed, what the state of Florida itself is becoming. So, with the blessings of my husband and children, I took a leap into the unknown.

So then what? I spoke at the the district school board meeting and explained why teachers are quitting. I was featured in a story on the Tampa Bay Times website and in the newspaper. And people started reaching out.

I had, prior to submitting my resignation, intended to start a blog in the summer called “Unlocking the Closet Door” with posts about helping your LGBTQ+ child as they come out. The intent is to offer advice from young to mature adults about what was good and what could’ve been done better by their own parents when they came out, as well as the thoughts of parents about what worked best in supporting their young - or even adult - child as they embrace who they are. Further, there will resources for reputable national organizations for support and advocacy.

In addition to that original blog, I decided to add in a second one - more for myself than anyone else - to chronicle the events that have occurred since my resignation and the amazing people I am meeting along this journey into advocacy. This one is called Using My Teacher Voice, thanks to the fabulous Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Lane DeGregory who wrote the story for the Times in the first place.

I hope you find some of what is presented here helpful and informative.

Thank you for stopping by.