Throughout my professional career as an educator, I’ve become increasingly aware that there are vital conversations that need to happen between kids and their trusted adults. I believe that most families want to give their children better support around sexuality and relationships than they received themselves, and it can be daunting knowing where to start. Similarly, I know that most educators are invested in creating the safest space possible for their students, but face many challenges in making that safe space a reality, especially in today’s political climate.

I am a progressive human sexuality educator currently pursuing my PhD at the Widener University Center for Human Sexuality Studies. I have been an educator in middle and high schools for over a decade, and aim to empower children, parents, and other educators through consent and LGBTQIA+ education. I strive to spread knowledge about comprehensive consent-based practice; how to develop and maintain healthy relationships; and community-centering strategies, such as compassionate and direct communication. All of my work is done through an intersectional, social-justice driven lens that prioritizes creating an honest, challenging, inclusive space for learning. I am passionate about making the world safer for LGBTQIA+ children, starting with their homes, schools, and communities.

I received a BA in French Language and Literature from the George Washington University in 2009, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in 2013. In May of 2023 I was awarded a Master in Education from Widener University in Human Sexuality. I am a DELE B2-certified fluent Spanish speaker, a DELF B2-certified fluent French speaker, and hold a certificate in medical interpretation (Spanish/English). In addition to my work as an educator, my short fiction and poetry can be found at sonjavitow.com, and I make soap at idlathernot.com.