Maryland teacher named 2011 GLSEN Educator of the Year

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is proud to announce the selection of Maryland teacher Rich Espey as the 2011 GLSEN Educator of the Year, presented by Sodexo.

Each year, the award recognizes a remarkable educator who has demonstrated a commitment to GLSEN's mission of ensuring safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. This year, nearly 100 educators were nominated from around the country.

Espey has taught middle school science for 23 years and is currently teaching 8th graders at the Park School of Baltimore. In 2005, he assumed sponsorship of Park’s Middle School GSA; projects under his guidance include a student-created video addressing homophobic language at school, various assembly programs for GLSEN’s Day of Silence; and a two-week professional development program that brought together twelve teachers from throughout the school to gather and explore resources for best practices in gender and sexuality diversity education. As a result of his work, dozens of the school’s teachers have addressed sexual orientation in their curricula in thoughtful, age-appropriate ways.

“GLSEN and Sodexo are honored to recognize Rich Espey, a school leader who has dedicated his teaching career to creating environments where all students are valued and respected, as the 2011 GLSEN Educator of the Year," said GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard. “As someone who engages both youth and adults in making a safer community, Rich Espey embodies all the characteristics we look for in a visionary leader.”

GLSEN is also proud to announce that Jefferson Fietek from Anoka Middle School in Coon Rapids, Minnesota is runner-up for the 2011 GLSEN Educator of the Year. Fietek has dedicated himself to supporting students targeted by anti-LGBT bullying and advocating for changes in his district’s censorship policy, which prohibits addressing LGBT issues in the classroom.

About GLSEN

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org