Rachel Thomas

Ball State University

I’ll be providing the required presentation of my dissertation proposal, which examines elementary educators’ perceptions of and contributions to classroom gender climate. Elementary educators from across the United States are currently participating via online questionnaires. Participants are presented with one of 6 vignettes in which a hypothetical student’s gender identity and expression are manipulated, and then make predictions about the hypothetical student’s educational outcomes (achievement in and self-efficacy for gender-typed domains) and sexual orientation. Additionally, participants complete measure of classroom gender climate aimed at measuring their attitudes and self-efficacy for working with students of diverse gender expression/identity. It is expected that participants will expect gender nonconforming targets, but especially feminine male targets, to have a non-heterosexual sexual orientation, and to achieve in and have self-efficacy for gender-typed domains consistent with their gender expression. Data collection will cease at the end of the year, with defense anticipated in late February/early March.

Presenter’s Bio

Rachel N. Thomas (she/her) is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology, with a specialization in human development. Her research focuses on issues of diversity and inclusion in schools, especially gender identity and expression. Rachel has been teaching for the Educational Psychology department since 2018 and recently won Ball State University’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Additionally, she received the 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools.