Our Board

Bryan Stanton

Chair

Bryan Stanton (he/they) is a dynamic leader and advocate in the intersection of theatre education and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. As Board Chair of Teaching While Queer, Bryan champions the voices of queer educators worldwide, striving to create a safer, more inclusive environment where both teachers and students can thrive authentically and free from discrimination.

Bryan’s professional expertise spans over 15 years in live entertainment with SeaWorld, Disney, Legoland, and regional theatre, coupled with advanced academic credentials, including a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Pedagogy. They have collaborated with prestigious organizations like Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, and the American Alliance for Theatre Education to enhance educational experiences for teachers and students alike.

A sought-after voice in educational theatre and LGBTQ+ advocacy, Bryan has shared their insights on platforms like ThedTalks, Just Do You, and the Character.org Blog. Through their leadership at Teaching While Queer, Bryan fosters a community that supports educators in embracing their identities while navigating the challenges of educational spaces. Their work inspires meaningful change, empowering educators and students to live and learn with confidence, authenticity, and pride.

BrANDON BOX-HIGDEM

Vice Chair

Brandon Box-Higdem (he/him) is proud to be a founding board member of Teaching While Queer and serve as Vice Chair.  He is in his 16^th year of teaching theater and is passionate about building a classroom space he did not have growing up: a space that not only educates but also creates environments where all students are welcome, where his door is always open, and where LGBTQ+ students can find a home away from home. A champion of inclusivity, kindness, and openness, Box-Higdem has been out and proud since 1993.  Having grown up in the 1980’s, he struggles with some of the same fears, shame, and guilt that many felt from living during that time period, and he works hard to support others when they decide to come out. His mom is his champion, and even though her battle with breast cancer ended her life, her mantra lives on: “Stay the course. Keep the faith. Stay positive.” He can still feel her cheering him on even today.  Brandon doesn’t regulate LGBTQ+ educators and students as needing to be a “content warning” or something meant to be suppressed or simply tolerated, but rather he believes in standing up for what is right, listening before responding, and, above all, approaching everyone with love and kindness. He is thankful for his husband’s support around every bend in the journey they share together with their fur babies: Violet, GiGi, and Alice.

Madi Bourdon

Secretary

Madi Bourdon (she/they) is an openly Queer educator, author, and advocate fostering the well-being of Queer youth and allies through inclusive spaces, mentorship, and empowerment by cultivating a healthy and affirmed sense of belonging. Madi is currently an elementary school counselor and serves as the American School Counselor Association’s DEI LGBTQ2SIA+ Committee Lead. 

Madi’s advocacy for Queer youth in education has led her to roles serving as a board member within two non-profit organizations- Teaching While Queer and the Oregon Safe Schools and Community Coalition. Her passion for Queer advocacy in education stemmed from the joy she has felt leading her school’s 4th and 5th grade GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance). She recently published her first book, “A Kids Book about Chosen Family” and was featured in Education Week discussing the corrosive effect of anti-LGBT policies in schools on LGBTQ+ students’ mental health, following the death of Nex Benedict. 

MIke Gagnon

Treasurer

Mike Gagnon (he/him) is a Secondary Education teacher focused in English Language Arts. Additional experience in teaching Career Education, Democracy, and College Preparatory Skills (AVID Trained & AP Lang Trained).

In addition, I have experience at the college level, teaching two Writing Courses: Analyzing and Writing Arguments AND Research and Argument Writing; as well as two entry level courses: Composition AND Literature and Composition

Dr. Carla stephens

Board Member

Dr. Carla R. Stephens holds a B.A. in Political Science and History as well as a PhD in History from Temple University. Her areas of interest include the transnational nature of the black freedom struggle in the 1950s-1970s, particularly activism by African Americans in the liberation struggles of the former Portuguese colonies in Africa. She also earned her M.S. in Educational Leadership at Montclair State University. Carla became founding faculty at Bard High School Early College in Newark, NJ in 2011. Carla was promoted to the principalship in 2017 and served the youth and Newark community for 6 years. Carla brings leadership training and experience from four years at the United States Naval Academy, leadership training with the National Urban League, a decade as a manager in a Fortune 500 multinational corporation, and 6 years as an educational leader to her new position as Director of the Bard Queer Leadership Project at Bard College at Simon’s Rock.

Craig Aarons-Martin

Board Member

Steph Graham

Board Member