Jerome Cargill

The abstract summarizes an audio recording titled "Jerome Cargill," conducted on May 1, 2016, involving an interview between Jerome Cargill and Gareth Watkins. The interview, captured in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, spans the 1990s through the 2010s and covers a comprehensive range of topics, primarily focusing on Cargill's personal and professional journey as a teacher, as well as their experiences regarding sexual identity and the enactment of diversity in the educational context.

Cargill describes a pivotal moment in year seven when a teacher recognized their aptitude for helping others and suggested considering a career in education. This idea became a catalyst for Cargill’s future in teaching. Cargill emphasizes that a good teacher should be passionate, believe in students' capacities, and be willing to view young people as capable change-makers. With the advent of technology and social media, they argue that the potential for anyone, especially youth, to contribute to the world has been democratized.

The interview delves into Cargill's own discovery of their sexual identity, noting the challenges faced due to a lack of visible role models or positive media representation during their formative years. Experiences of denying one's true identity due to a prevailing homophobic culture, particularly in a single-sex school environment, are discussed. The narrative then shifts to Cargill's growth and eventual comfort in publicly acknowledging their identity during university years, aided by supportive friends and family.

Cargill’s professional journey begins with their education in film, media, and English at Victoria University followed by Teacher's College. They reflect on early teaching experiences, sharing an incident during a placement where they were admonished for revealing their identity to students, leading to a period of self-suppression in the classroom. Cargill discusses the importance of supportive senior management in creating a safe space for teachers to be authentically themselves.

The conversation highlights the role of diversity groups in schools, particularly focusing on a group facilitated by Cargill at Newlands College, which has been instrumental in providing a safe space for discussion and support related to sexuality and gender identity among students. The group considers numerous topics, including the dynamics of coming out to parents and the intersection of faith with sexual and gender identity. Cargill points to the group's future goals of expanding into a broader alliance that includes both diverse and heterosexual students, promoting a culture of openness and acceptance.

Finally, Cargill touches on the positive impact of media exposure, following a feature on "Seven Sharp," on their advocacy work for creating more inclusive educational spaces. They express a desire to continue promoting change and supporting schools in developing frameworks to ensure safety and support for LGBTI+ students.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Jerome Cargill

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