Why I Teach Sex Ed: Denver, Co

Daniela Vallez

by Daniela Vallez

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

When I tell people what I do, people usually are quick to tell me their story about how they never had a class on sex education, or they explain how awkward it was. When I ask them why it was so awkward, they usually tell me that their teacher was so uncomfortable speaking about it was just awkward for everyone. I was fortunate to have grown up around people who were not afraid to talk about sex. I had my parents, aunts, cousins, my sixth grade sex education teacher and most importantly Ms. M.

I remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to teach sex education. During my freshman year of high school, I was sitting around during cheerleading practice when one of the seniors started complaining about “the pill.” I had no idea what they meant but I didn’t want to look dumb so I went along with it. That’s when my cheerleading coach/home ec/sex ed teacher, Ms. M, changed my life. She brought out her most prized possession (at least I thought so); a beautiful Longaberger basket with what seemed like all the birth control in the world. She sat down with us and started pulling out pills, condoms, cervical caps, shots, spermicides, etc.  I swear she had it all! As she pulled stuff out she explained how they worked. The older girls knew what everything was because they had heard it all before but I was enthralled; at that moment I made it my goal to learn about every single thing in that basket. And that’s when I knew, I had to teach sex education.

Although I loved that basket, I was also impressed at how comfortable she was talking about sex. She put us all at ease. Ms. M had a flair for the dramatics so she threw a few scare tactics out there but it was cool because we all appreciated her. She was giving us honest and open information that we were not receiving anywhere else.  She never told us what to do but she provided us with the information we needed to make a decision for ourselves.  She was my hero. During the rest of my high school years anytime someone had a question about sex education, I took them to see Ms. M. If she was there, and let’s be honest, even if she wasn’t there, I would bust out that basket and have the talk.

That is why I started teaching sex education. Now, 15 years later, I keep teaching because I love it. It really is that simple. The students, adults, parents, teachers, everyone we work with make it worth it. I love that we give back to the community and that we are doing a service. I get to go into classrooms, jails, homes, clinics, you name it, we are there, and I get to give people honest and open information. We empower people to make decisions that are best for them. When people leave our groups they know that they are in control of their sex lives. They know that they deserve to have healthy relationship and that they don’t urinate from the vagina or that if they drink Mt. Dew their penis will not shrink. They know they can trust us that we aren’t embarrassed to say penis or vagina and they know that we are here.

That is why I teach sex education.

Editor's Note:

"Why I Teach Sex Ed" profiles sexuality educators throughout the nation.  This column appears each Monday.  If you teach sex ed and would like to tell your story, send your submission, in 350-700 words, to Bill@SexEdStore.com.

Why I Teach Sex Ed: Southern California

Somebody Has To Do It!

by Niala Terrell-Mason

Planned Parenthood of thePacific Southwest

Niala Terrell-Mason

I teach sex ed because someone has to. I work for a large Planned Parenthood affiliate that covers three counties in Southern California. My particular area, Western Riverside County, has some of the highest teen pregnancy and STIs rates in Southern California. It is also, not surprisingly, a largely conservative area. To be a proponent of comprehensive and positive sex ed in my area is to intimately understand the Greek myth of Sisyphus and the rock. It’s all uphill, baby. It continuously blows my mind that nearly every school in the surrounding 3 districts is experiencing epidemic levels of teen pregnancies, yet The Powers That Be are still adamantly “abstinence only.” They talk round and round about what can be done about this horrible social ill (/sarcasm), but ignore the answer staring them in the face: Comprehensive, non-shaming, affirming, and accurate sexuality education in schools and homes. I am extremely grateful for the teachers that risk their colleagues and bosses (along with parents) ire and invite us into their classrooms to speak to their students. They do it because they care. They care about the well-being of the teens put into their trust. They care about their health and their future. They care about them as young adults capable of making good decisions when given the tools to do so. So do I/we. A common question I get in classrooms from students is: Why do you do this? People find it hard to believe that someone would willingly talk about sex, one of the most uncomfortable and OMG Awkward! subjects ever, for a living. What I tell them is this: First of all, this is fun! I get paid to talk about sex all day long! Second, I am grateful that I to get to talk to people about sexuality and, if I can, positively impact teens and have some hand in helping them make some of the most important decisions of their lives. This is a calling just like anything else. I *know* how important the work I do is. It’s hard, often disappointing and frustrating; but someone has to do it. 

Editor's Note:

"Why I Teach Sex Ed" profiles sexuality educators throughout the nation.  This column appears each Monday.  If you teach sex ed and would like to tell your story, send your submission, in 350-700 words, to Bill@SexEdStore.com.

Why I Teach Sex Ed: Oklahoma City, OK

by Courtney Peters

Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma

“I teach people about sex.” This is how I used to approach the situation when asked about my profession. I quickly realized that this statement elicited some very strange looks and many unwanted replies. Over the last 16 months, I have learned to elaborate, and now my response reads something like this: “I work in health education, so I teach classes on everything from puberty to contraception.” As can be assumed, this reply is more warmly received. Yet, in what other profession would I have to consider my response? For all the hullabaloo that comes along with this position, there must be some reason why I continue-day after day-to walk through Planned Parenthood’s door. In fact, there are many reasons why I applied to be a Community Health Educator and a myriad of other reasons that keep me going.

Courtney Peters with her supervisor, Terry Dennison

I live in Oklahoma. This great state boasts one of the highest teen birth rates in the country. In fact, we are number five[1] (yippee?!), and Oklahomans seem to think this is not so bad. Yet, teen pregnancy is one of the main indicators for a life of both poverty and struggle. This seems pretty bad to me. Our kids desperately need education, and they are not getting it at school. Oklahoma is an abstinence only state, and sexuality education is not mandated. I did not know the gravity of the situation until I started working at Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma (covering the central and western portions of the state). And even then, I did not realize the widespread effect of our failure as a state until I began doing frequent community outreach. Our children know nothing about contraception, STIs, and their own bodies. The anonymous questions I receive at programs are outrageous. I was utterly shocked at first, but then I reflected on my own life.

I went to high school in Texas (notorious number three), and I lived in a home with a close lipped policy. My parents were unhappily married (now happily divorced), and I certainly could not talk to them about sex. I learned everything I knew from partners, and I was lucky that I tended to date knowledgeable individuals. In fact, I was even lucky enough to avoid a teen pregnancy or STI. I am a sexuality educator because I might not have been so lucky. I am a sexuality educator because kids should not have to rely on luck. Most importantly, I am a sexuality educator because I want to give others what I never received: knowledge about and confidence in one’s body, sexuality, and relationships.

To be as blunt as possible, my job is awesome. I travel around the state and teach people from all walks of life about sex and sexuality. I get to attend trainings on female condoms and HIV/AIDS. I can host events called “Cocktails and Condoms”! But beyond the superficial fun, there is a deep passion. I care so much (probably too much) about public health, and I want Oklahoma to be full of happy, healthy people. Teen pregnancy, STIs, and poor reproductive healthcare can get in the way of that goal. I hope that my big programs, small programs, talks, intimate chats, presentations, and blogs reach someone-anyone-who needs the information. I encourage my audiences to share knowledge with friends who might need it, and I hope that my recommendations are taken to heart.

While we are a two person team at Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma’s Education Department, I believe that we are mighty. Somehow, we serve 43 counties in Oklahoma, and although we cannot be everywhere (either through inability to split in half or strong opposition), our yearly audience of over 9,000 people is now an arsenal of information. It is my hope that they will share this material with friends, loved ones, partners, and strangers. I teach sex ed because I have faith in people, and I trust in our society’s inherent ability to help-not harm-others. I am a sexuality educator because I feel that we make a difference and change lives for the better. I am a sexuality educator because I believe that everyone deserves a chance. Above all, I am a sexuality educator because luck can only get someone so far.

---

[1] The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/state-data/state-comparisions.asp?ID=4&sID=44&sort=rank#table. 

Editor's Note:

"Why I Teach Sex Ed" profiles sexuality educators throughout the nation.  This column appears each Monday.  If you teach sex ed and would like to tell your story, send your submission, in 350-700 words, to Bill@SexEdStore.com.

Why I Teach Sex Ed: Detroit, MI

Darrien Howze

by  Darrien Howze, M.Ed
Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan

A funny thing happened on the way to looking for a new job. I found a career that I could be proud of: sex education.  I get paid to discuss the most common but the most uncomfortable topic in this nation. This career choice has enabled me to deal with my own insecurities about sex and sexuality in a positive and productive fashion. I discovered my own biases and misconceptions about this topic and I had to educate myself to get rid of them. Ergo, I have learned more about sex education than I thought I ever wanted to know.

I have a passion to share this vital information about sex and sexuality in a package that emphasizes a balanced comprehensive approach. I take students behind the curtains of fear and misinformation. I give them the most current and medically accurate information about sex education. My task is to destroy myths, falsehoods and untruths about one of the most basic parts of our shared humanity. I empower students to say no, if they choose this route. I give students the tools to understand how contraceptive devices work. I assist students in navigating the stormy seas of dating and relationships. Most importantly, I teach students how to take responsibility for their sexual health.

I love what I do because it allows me to help people in a way that individuals sometimes take for granted. We did not come into this world with a manual, as a result, our parents did the best job they could with the information they had. My responsibility as a sex education instructor is to be an asset to parents and a guide to young people for this journey of learning.

Without comprehensive sex education, our children will drown in a sea of ignorance and intolerance. I stand with people who want to empower teens to become responsible, educated and informed citizens. I am a sex education instructor.


Editor's Note:

"Why I Teach Sex Ed" profiles sexuality educators throughout the nation.  This column appears each Monday.  If you teach sex ed and would like to tell your story, send your submission, in 350-700 words, to Bill@SexEdStore.com.