Date of Award

Spring 6-13-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Organizational Unit

Morgridge College of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

First Advisor

Erin Anderson

Second Advisor

Lolita Tabron

Third Advisor

Brette Garner

Fourth Advisor

Mollie McQuillan

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Colorado, Educators, K12 education, Queer educators, Politics, Sustaining

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to engage queer Colorado educators to explore how to sustain their identities as queer educators in a politically fractured state. By focusing on Colorado, I could assess the extent to which the legal protections afforded there adequately support educators in sustaining themselves. Additionally, the findings from Colorado had the potential to further illuminate factors influencing teacher sustainability and retention on a much larger scale. The questions for this research project were: 1) How are queer educators sustaining themselves and each other in an increasingly volatile political climate? 2) What, if any, factors impact queer educators’ capacity to sustain their identities and capacity to stay in education? This study employed a phenomenological research method. Findings focused on the uncertainty that queer educators face, the boundaries they put in place to sustain their identities and careers, and the joy they find in supporting students.

Copyright Date

6-2025

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Devani Lemmon

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

194 pgs

File Size

2.3 MB

Download



Share

COinS