Joshua Jernigan
Activist, Philanthropist, Author
Providing accurate and accessible history from diverse perspectives

History
History
History

Social Justice
Social Justice
Social Justice

Community
Community
Community
Experience & Activities
Joshua Jernigan (he/him/his) is a transgender rights activist and philanthropist living in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area where he and his husband are raising their daughter together. He started the Gender Education Network, an organization helping transgender and gender diverse youth under 12, and is passionate about ensuring every child has a safe and loving home to nurture their growing identities.
Joshua has extensive experience in early childhood education both in traditional classroom settings and remotely. He has previously taught classes on numerous topics ranging from sign language instruction to racial and gender identities.
Joshua is also passionate about accurate and accessible history which has led him down the path of learning all he can about LGBTQ+ history, all things that are not taught in a standard classroom. This passion has led to him giving several speeches about accurate queer history and why it’s important that this information be available for all individuals, which now has brought him back to his first love, educating.
When not helping kids or educating in some way, Joshua enjoys hiking, camping, and just hanging out with his family. He has recently authored a children’s book, which has been a lifelong goal of his.
Joshua's Classes
Date | Class | Subject Filter | Age Level | Filter by Age | Class Type | Filter by Class Type | Teacher | Filter by Teacher | Price | Availability | Filter by Availability | Live Meetings |
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April 26 - May 10, 2023 | Flight | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | Space Available | open | Wednesday 4/26, 5/3, 5/10 at 10am PST |
April 27 - May 11 | The Periodic Table | Science | 6-10 | Elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee M.S. | blee | $80 | Space Avaliable | open | Thursday |
Latest Courses
Online Teaching Policies for Joshua Jernigan
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Refunds & Withdrawals
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Class Cancellations
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Class Participation
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Homework and Late Work
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Respecting Students
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Student Behavior
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Response to Behavioral Concerns
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Recording and Privacy Policy
Full refunds will be given to students if they withdraw before the first day of class. Students who withdraw after class has begun will get a refund that is prorated based on how long is left in the class period.
I am happy to work with families to find a solution if students do not want to withdraw but feel the class is too hard or moving too quickly/slowly.
(NOTE: Refunds made more than 30 days from purchase date will be docked a 15% administrative processing fee. )
I reserve the right to cancel any class that does not have the minimum enrollment met. This will be evaluated on a case by case basis based on the subject of the class and the needs for that class.
While I do not foresee any canceled classes during the length of the class, emergencies do happen. If there is a requirement to cancel a class, I will work with students and families in order to provide a recorded make up class or a rescheduled live session for that lesson.
If there is a need to cancel a large portion of classes, I will work to find a substitute teacher. If an adequate substitute cannot be found, then a prorated refund of the remaining classes will be given. Parents will have the option of a prorated refund if they are unhappy with the class substitute option.
I am a firm believer that you are taking this class because you want to be here. I understand that each student is different with their comfort levels pertaining to live online classes. The preference for each live class will be camera on, microphone on, however I am willing to work with students to meet their needs. I want to make sure something as simple as a camera or microphone is not a barrier for a student taking a class they want! Please reach out to work through any accommodations your student may need.
Homework is a continuation of learning done in the class. Because our classes are short, any assigned homework will help continue to foster learning and set the student up for the next class. While it’s best if you can complete homework before the next class, there will be times that you cannot and I understand that completely.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions regarding assignments meant for after class and we can work together to achieve the extra learning these assignments offer.
Late work will be assessed as it comes in, but I cannot guarantee feedback in a timely manner if we are more than 2 weeks from the assignment’s due date. However, I do not assign work that does not have value to the course, so I will always accept work throughout the entire class schedule. If there is a big issue with getting work turned in on time, please reach out to me so we can work together to find a solution.
I strive to show as much respect as I ask students to give. When we do not feel respected, we often do not do our best in the presence of those people, especially when they are in an authority role. Here are the ways I will give respect to my students.
- I will call all students by their name and pronouns they tell me, no matter what the registration form says.
- I will use multiple styles of instruction, including verbal and visual, with every lesson.
- I will listen to students as they explain the reasoning they are giving the answer they have given, even if the answer is not the textbook “correct” answer.
- I will work with students to make sure all materials are accessible for their needs.
- I will be available for questions by email and will respond is a timely manner (typically within 24 hours)
- I will respect each student’s need for privacy regarding the feedback for their assignments.
In return, I expect students to offer the same respect to others within the classroom. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
My goal with each class is to help as many students learn in a safe and effective education space. With this need, there is a code of conduct I request all students follow.
- Please mute your microphone if there is outside noise
- All participants seen on screen must be wearing non offensive clothing
- No name calling, bullying, mean spirited comments, or other offensive statements or words may be used during class or in the chat or message board.
- No sharing personal contact information.
- Chat must remain on topic for the class.
- Use “I” statements when discussing your personal relationship towards a topic.
No disruptive behavior that distracts other students, such as changing backgrounds, constantly sending emojis, intentionally making faces towards other students.
My goal with every live class is to make sure students are learning in a supported environment that best meets their needs. Part of that is making sure behavioral concerns are dealt with in a timely manner that does not embarrass a student but also gets the class back onto the topic as quickly as possible. My first goal will be to always address a behavior over removing a student, though I do reserve the right to remove a student whose behavior is seen as a concern or safety issue to other students.
Here are some examples of ways I may address behavior concerns:
- Disable functions of the classroom, including chat, muting microphones, or turning off a video feed.
- Privately reach out to a student and ask them to stop the behavior.
- Reach out to the student and their caregivers in order to come up with a solution together
- Request a caregiver be present during the class to stop behaviors as they are happening.
- Remove a student from the lesson
Remove a student from the class all together. (this is the most extreme and would be after all other avenues had been exhausted.)
Student privacy is very important to me. It is also important that I have the ability to review live classes to document any student needs or behavioral issues that have come up. I record all live sessions and store them securely for no longer than 12 months. These sessions will not be shared publicly or with other students in the class.
I reserve the right to share these recordings with individuals who may need to see them. This includes caregivers of students who have behavioral issues that need to be addressed or a third party who requires this for their policy protocols (such as a charter school).
Get in touch with Joshua Jernigan