What's included
5 live meetings
3 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Learners will be offered an approximately half-hour long assignment after each class to deepen their learning. Assignments involve relevant videos with reflection questions. Homework is optional unless a student needs the assignments graded for a requirement of any type.Class Experience
This Sex Education class will cover 5 key topics for teens about their sexual identity and health, in a learning environment that is inclusive and welcoming. This class can either supplement your school's Health & Sex Ed Class or work as a stand-alone component of an independent Sex Education. The topics covered in this course are selected to provide all learners with important, sometimes even lifesaving information about their bodies, minds, hearts and relationships. Classes are also created so that learners can enjoy the information and have fun while learning. All lesson content aligns with the National Sexuality Education Standards (1), which is the basis for curricula development in cities and towns across the United States. Taught by an experienced and accomplished sex educator, you can expect each class to be medically-accurate, scientifically-based and age appropriate according to leading research (1, 2, 3). This class will cover the following topics. Students are welcome who this will be their first experience with these topics, as well as though seeking either a review or more in depth information. Class 1: Sexual & Gender Identity Class 2: Reproductive Anatomy Class 3: Pregnancy & STI Prevention Class 4: Healthy Relationships and Consent Class 5: Continuum of Care: Doctor/Clinic Visits, Trusted Adults Each power-packed class will introduce the topic to the students, provide current, research-based information, use interactive activities for students to clarify and deepen their understanding, and end with a short take-home assignment to build upon the information shared in class. I have been involved in sex education since I was a teen, and went on to develop a high-level professional career in the subject where I both teach high school health education in a public high school and guide health education teacher support citywide. FAQs 1. What if my child is shy about this topic, or shy in general? All classes are designed to draw learners into the discussion, and uses a variety of methods for participation besides speaking aloud - writing in the chat, mentimeter polls, Google Jamboard, and easy, non-personal participation questions. Whenever possible, I do encourage learners to use their video but it is always optional with no pressure. 2. What if I can't make one of the 5 days? After each class I post a summary in the Classroom of our day's topic and any additional links. You can watch the video of the class to catch up on any missed class, and follow any links to additional information. 3. I'm wondering if my learner is a good fit for this class? All students are welcomed, regardless of their experience learning about the topic. That said, if you have questions about your specific learner, I encourage you to reach out and ask. I will be honest with any replies - I want this to be a good fit for your learner and the class. (1) National Sexuality Standards (SIECUS): https://siecus.org/resources/national-sex-ed-standards-second-edition/ (2) CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/sexualhealth/Defa
Learning Goals
Students will be able to...
1. Define and explain gender and sexual identity, and related vocabulary terms
2. Discuss the process and importance of learning about our own gender and sexual identity
3. Illustrate and describe the functional anatomy of the internal and external reproductive systems
4. Identify the common STIs
5. Demonstrate an understanding of how to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STIs
6. Evaluate different scenarios and correctly identify ones where active consent was given
7. Describe qualities that make a healthy relationship
8. Role play a decision-making plan around sexual behavior that delays or refuses the behavior
9. Report on minors rights around sexual health in their home town/city
10. Identify the key steps to visiting a doctor for a sexual health visit, including what tests are commonly available.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parents, guardians and family members,
You are your child's most important health educators.
To reinforce this, throughout the classes I regularly direct young people back to their families and cultures to find answers to values-based questions that only you and they can determine (How old should I be before I have a serious relationship? What is the right age to first have sex?).
Research shows that your teens, despite how they may appear, are hungry to know what you think and believe around topics related to relationships, dating and sexual behavior. It is my intention to help offer families more opportunities to have these discussions through the learnings in this class. In the Classroom you will see a summary of our day's discussions, and additional links and videos to follow for more information. You might use this to help you engage in conversation with you learner.
In addition, should this class not turn out to be a good fit, note that I have selected Outschool's Flexible Refund policy. While I hope we can discuss and address any issues that might arise from you or your learner, ultimately it is important to me that you can withdraw at any point during the class, with a pro-rated refund. This has to feel right for you and for them - that is my way of modeling good consent* :)
*Not so sure what I mean by consent? - Brush up on your understanding of consent with this fun, 2:49 video Tea & Consent that I also use as a teaching tool in the class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGoWLWS4-kU
Supply List
1. You will need a place to take notes and write - it can be paper/pen or electronic 2. All materials (articles, excerpts, videos) will be provided electronically as attachments or links 3. For class #1, we will be drawing and labeling a stick figure. Learners who like using markers or colored pencils are encouraged to bring them along to this class.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am an experienced health and sex educator with a Masters in Public Health and a New York State K-12 Health Education Teaching Certification. I taught high school health education in New York City, worked for New York City's central office training and coordinating health teachers, and sat on the Mayor's Sex Ed Task Force. In addition to teaching on Outschool, I currently lead citywide health and sex education trainings - advising on policy, creating lesson plans, creating course sequencing, lead professional development workshops and supporting health educators and do health ed work nationally through different non-profits.
Health and sex education is my career and passion. I have had a love for health education since I was a teenager, participating in high school and college opportunities to learn and lead around sex education. To maintain my knowledge and skills as an educator, I regularly attend or present at professional conferences, join professional workshops and stay current on the latest literature. In the community, I offer parent workshops and localized classes for young people.
I am also a parent of a 7 year old. Raising him to be a sexually healthy adult and supporting his needs is one of my newer, and much loved, jobs.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$125
for 5 classes5x per week, 1 week
45 min
Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-16
3-9 learners per class