Episode Details

“If you can’t teach through the lens of humanity, then what’s the point of the standards? The music won’t mean anything without compassion.” 

In this heartfelt episode, Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with Ben Wilkinson (he/him) — a music educator, color guard coach, and proud queer teacher from Northern California — to explore how the arts can become a refuge for identity, empathy, and connection.

From surviving small-town homophobia to reclaiming his voice in education, Ben’s story is a testament to the power of music as community and teaching as healing. Together, they unpack what it means to return to spaces that once caused trauma, support queer students in conservative areas, and build classrooms rooted in compassion and humanity.

Key Takeaways

• How Ben’s experiences as a closeted gay student shaped his inclusive teaching philosophy
• Why arts programs often serve as sanctuaries for queer and questioning youth
• The balance between compassion and accountability when teaching students with conflicting beliefs
• How to protect your mental health as an educator and model emotional wellness for students
• The transformative impact of teachers like Dr. Diana Hollinger, who inspire generations of musicians and educators

About Our Guest

Ben Wilkinson (he/him) is a music education student and longtime color guard instructor from the Bay Area. With nearly two decades of experience coaching, teaching, and mentoring young performers, Ben’s mission is to create inclusive spaces in the arts where every student feels safe, seen, and celebrated. He’s currently finishing his bachelor’s degree in Music Education at San Jose State University, under the mentorship of Dr. Diana Hollinger.

Resources & Links

• Teaching While Queer
• The Trevor Project – Support & crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth
• Learning for Justice – LGBTQ+ Resources
• NAfME – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Music Education

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This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.

Keywords: queer music educator, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive music education, color guard coach, teaching while queer, arts education, belonging in schools, educator mental health, San Jose State University

Teaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in education, educator burnout, book bans, workplace discrimination, tokenism, doxing, and advocacy—while sharing practical strategies for building inclusive classrooms, affirming