About this episode
This episode is for school librarians, elementary educators, and district leaders who want to create truly inclusive and affirming library spaces—without fear or burnout. Bryan (they/them) sits down with Bec Anderson (they/them), a nonbinary librarian from Kansas, to talk about what “Reading the Rainbow” really means, how librarians can push back against book bans, and why visibility matters in small communities.Key Takeaways:How to build a library collection that mirrors your students’ lived experiencesPractical ways to make queer and diverse representation visible in subtle, safe waysThe power of book choice as a pathway to empathy and lifelong learningHow administrators can support librarians during book bans and budget cutsWhy inclusive books benefit all students, not just marginalized onesAbout Our Guest: Bec Anderson (they/them) is a Title I school librarian in central Kansas with seven years of experience in education. Formerly a fourth-grade teacher, Bec now leads the “Reading the Rainbow” initiative—helping librarians and teachers ensure their collections reflect the full spectrum of student identities. They’re currently pursuing a master’s in Library Science and advocate fiercely for inclusive, student-centered literacy practices.Resources & Links:“Reading the Rainbow” session notes from Teaching While Queer Conference (available soon)We Need Diverse Books initiative — https://diversebooks.orgAmerican Library Association: ALA’s Office for Intellectual FreedomListen: wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe: to Teaching While Queer Visit: teachingwhilequeer.org Follow: @TeachingWhileQueerSupport the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!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, asexuaTeaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation i
