Episode Details

“I wanted every student I met to know they had one person on campus who would literally roll up to a teacher’s door for them — because I didn’t.” 

This episode is for theatre educators, LGBTQ+ teachers, and school leaders who are striving to create classrooms where every student feels safe, seen, and valued — even after facing trauma or burnout.

In this deeply personal conversation, Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with Kolby Campbell (he/him), a theatre teacher from Carrollton, Texas, who opens up about surviving relentless bullying, rediscovering his purpose through teaching, and navigating mental health challenges during the pandemic.

Listeners will gain insight into how queer educators transform pain into empathy, build relationships that heal, and advocate for systemic change in education.

Key Takeaways

• How Colby’s experience with anti-gay bullying shaped his approach to inclusive teaching
• Practical ways to build authentic student relationships rooted in mutual respect
• The impact of hybrid learning on educator mental health — and strategies for recovery
• How schools can create cultures of care and accountability through admin support
• Why theatre education can lead the way in restoring humanity and belonging in schools

About Our Guest

Kolby Campbell (he/him) is a high school theatre teacher in Carrollton, Texas. A proud gay educator and advocate for student belonging, Kolby has led campus-wide professional development on microaggressions and teaching LGBTQIA+ students with empathy. His work centers on building inclusive spaces where all students — queer, BIPOC, and beyond — can thrive.

Resources & Links

• Teaching While Queer
• David’s Legacy Foundation – Anti-Cyberbullying Resources
• Learning for Justice – LGBTQ+ Inclusive Classroom Resources
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Educator Mental Health Support

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Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices.

This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community.

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Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBT