The Face of AIDS: Special Training for Educators with HIV

special
training for educators with HIV

Programs sponsored
by community organizations are understandably scrutinized by parents
and administrators to make sure the agendas and content are suitable,
personnel are qualified and responsible, and that the program will
compliment or enhance the school’s curriculum. Programs which deal
with sexuality and HIV often receive increased supervision.
It is important to be selective in choosing an educator with HIV to
invite to your classroom. Look for a local program which provides
speakers who are trained to work with adolescents in a classroom setting.
To assess the program itself,
ask how speakers are chosen and trained.
Look for:

Speakers who are interviewed, screened and trained before talking to teens.

Speakers chosen for their maturity (whatever age) and willingness to take direction.

Speakers who have been formally trained. Formal training will help a speaker streamline his/her story so that it is brief, focused on HIV, and relevant to teens.

A good program
should also include:

An overview of adolescent development (for help in preparing age-appropriate presentations and answering questions)

A session on cultural sensitivity and inclusive language (so that speakers reach as many children as possible)

Practice sessions, so that speakers can be guided in preparing stories that are clear and concise, comfortable for them, appropriate for students, and focused on HIV and related risks

Practice answering typical adolescent questions (so that speakers will answer questions accurately, respectfully, or sometimes, not at all)

Whether a speaker has received formal or informal training, all
speakers should know the following information prior to coming into
the classroom:

An overview of the program¹s agenda and guidelines (including information about appropriate dress, what to do in the event of illness, etc.)

An overview of the school¹s protocol for guests (including who will act as contact with the school, whether the speaker may have contact with students outside the classroom, etc.)

In the event that there is no such program in your area, consider
inviting a friend or acquaintance who is living with HIV to talk to
your students. It is absolutely necessary to make sure the speaker
understands the HIV prevention education agenda, and to follow the
program and training guidelines above so that the session will go
well from everyone¹s point of view.