It's Elementary Reviews, Endorsements, and Awards
It's Elementary Press KitThe groundbreaking film that addresses anti-gay prejudice by providing adults with practical lessons on how to talk with children about gay people. Part of The Respect for All Project. |
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- Film Synopsis
- Why Address Gay Issues with Children
- Reviews, Endorsements and Awards
- Photos and Flyers
- Press Releases
- Media Coverage
Reviews | Endorsements | Awards
Reviews
"A model of intelligent directing.
International Documentary
"Smart, rewarding, enormously valuable"
Howard Rosenberg,
"Could become one of the most important films ever devoted to lesbian and gay issues."
Barry Walters,
"A sterling production & Highly recommended for parents, educators and other adults."
, Booklist, American Library Association
"In the film, ignorance is replaced with fact, stereotype with information, and hate with a more tolerant attitude. You can see students becoming more comfortable with something that left them confused and scared."
David Zurawick, Baltimore Sun
"When parents aren't teaching against hatred and name-calling at home, teachers are left to deal with the consequences, and this program can help."
Diane Holloway, Austin American-Statesman
"The real stars of the video are the kids, who are often light-years ahead of their parents and societal norms in understanding what prejudice is all about."
Doug Ireland, editorial, The Nation
"Remarkable... should be in any library collection interested in education, community issues or gay and lesbian studies."
G. Handman, Video Librarian
"It's Elementary should be consoling to parents who are eager to raise good-hearted children but who can't imagine how this topic can be addressed in school."
Editorial,
Endorsements
"It's Elementary is the most important film dealing with LGBT issues and safe schools ever made. It took a topic that was mystifying to many people and made it real, inspiring an entire generation of educators to see how they could make a difference... No other film has had a bigger impact on LGBT issues in the schools."
Kevin Jennings, Executive Director, Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
"It's Elementary is not only engaging and relevant, but also capable of raising challenging issues with sensitivity and respect. Regardless of their personal beliefs, my early childhood education students find Its Elementary to be entertaining, thought-provoking, and realistic, deepening their understanding of the challenges of teaching in diverse communities."
Randi B. Wolfe, Ph.D., Director of Workplace Development,
"It's Elementary inspired both the schools and the families in our community. When our PTA introduced It's Elementary to county school administrators, they decided to implement mandatory training for teachers to address anti-gay discrimination and name-calling for the first time in
Tim Hannapel, Past PTA President, Piney Branch Elementary,
"Our experience is that the teachers in our pews want to make a safe space for their students to be who they are and to be respectful of others. It's Elementary demonstrates how thoughtful teachers can address a topic that is controversial but also fundamental for the creation of a welcoming classroom. Thanks for the wonderful resource!"
Jan Resseger, Minister for Public Education and Witness, United
"For a number of years now, It's Elementary has been a vital resource for introducing the important issue of sexuality into the teacher education programs at
Margaret S. Crocco, Professor & Program Coordinator, Social Studies Education, Teachers College,
"For people who are in the business of educating educators, this is a seminal piece of work."
Ellen Bettman, author of Hate Hurts
"...the film is the most powerful tool I've seen in getting students to talk about the most basic issues of intolerance &It will be a staple in our program for years to come."
Andrew Garrod, director, Teacher Education Program, Department of Education,
"Groundbreaking a must-see for educational policymakers everywhere."
Luis O. Reyes,
"As a gay father of two children in public elementary school, I spend the first few days of each new school year talking to my children's teachers about the importance of responding to anti-gay language in the classroom. Elementary school is a wonderful place to begin talking about the meaning of words, including words that hurt."
Letter to the editor about It's Elementary, The Boston Globe
"Schools cannot be neutral when dealing with issues of human dignity and human rights. I'm not talking about tolerance; I'm talking about acceptance. It's Elementary is a great resource for parents, teachers and community leaders working to teach respect and responsibility to
Bob Chase, president, National Education Association
"By addressing gay issues, we will prevent violence and foster equality. It's Elementary is an extremely moving portrait of how it can be done."
Carolyn Sheldon, president,
"Our teachers were struck by how much gay and lesbian issues permeate their students' lives already. Many saw that they have an ethical imperative to counter the miseducation that kids are receiving daily."
Stephanie Levy, The Klingenstein Summer Institute,
"Finally, a resource that speaks clearly and passionately to a wide audience about how bias hurts all of us. In easily accessible language and a well-organized format, the reader gains the knowledge, courage, and skills necessary to discuss LGBT issues with a range of audiences within our educational system, from youth to administrators."
Virginia Casper, Ph.D., Teacher Educator, Bank Street College of Education
"Discussing LBGT issues with students can be sensitive and tricky for school counselors. By providing vocabulary, dialogue-starting activities, and professional resources, this guide shows how and why counselors should embrace this opportunity, and removes the fear and mystery of talking about gay issues in a school setting."
Jill Cook, Assistant Director, American School Counselor Association
"Never in my work researching exclusion among youth have I come across such a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate resource for pro-actively and systemically addressing teasing and harassment motivated by perceived sexual orientation or gender conformity. The ability of communities to come together and collectively work to ensure healthy and safe learning environments for all children as a result of working with this guide should not be underestimated. It is truly a tremendous resource for the education community and for all those who care about the health and well-being of young people."
Stacey Horn, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Human Development, College of Education at University of Illinois – Chicago
Awards
CINE Golden EagleOutstanding Film Documentary, GLAAD Media Award
Multicultural Media Award, National Association for Multicultural Education
Best Documentary,
Best Documentary,
Best Documentary, Santa Barbara Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
Best Documentary,
Best Documentary, San Francisco Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival
Best Documentary,
Juror's Choice Award, Charlotte Film Festival
Audience Award, Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival
Best Educational Film, Northern Lights (
Best Feature Audience Award,
Silver Apple, National Educational Media Network
Silver Spire, Golden Gate Awards,
Honorable Mention,
Honor Award, Skipping Stones
