"Sam Casanova should be a future KEYNOTE Panelist / Speaker. She was AMAZING ...warm, engaging, attentive to feedback when attendees [shared]. She packed her facilitation with an abundant amount of reflection opportunities and take-a-ways. The use of statements to reflect on / answer regarding facilitation experiences and environment for youth and then debrief was powerful - a solo act and then a communal unpacking. Plus, the statements clearly connected to suggested call-to-actions for our tool kits. The videos she selected for each segment like the historial / herstorical medical and sexual abuse of Black folks and police/ resource officer in the school were informative and I appreciated the heads up content warnings." — Conference Attendee
testimonials & reviews
"This session was one of the most informative of the entire conference. I learned so much that I had not previously been aware of, and was given many good resources for queer folks and folks with disabilities. I also really loved the answering tough questions activity at the end, as these are some questions I anticipate getting when starting to talk about body toys in the classroom."
— Conference Attendee
— Quote Source
"Fabulous!
Sam was a wonderful facilitator, and provided information that was new to me as well as made interesting the content that was review. She was passionate, curious, and very prepared. The conversation included some really challenging content to sit with, and she handled it beautifully."
— Conference Attendee
"Sam is a very enthusiastic and energetic speaker who engaged me during the entire session. I thought they did a great job giving us necessary info in a very succinct and easy to understand way. I am excited to apply all that they spoke about in my educational programs."
— Conference Attendee
"This workshop was incredible and really affirming to be part of. It's reassuring and awe inspiring to see educators talking about body items and their importance."
— Conference Attendee
"Excellent workshop! Very informative and inclusive of many types of people such as gender expensive individuals, disabled individuals, and survivors of SA."
— Conference Attendee
"This was probably one of my favorite presentations from this conference! It was informative and educational! [They] were amazing, bubbly and energetic! :)"
— Conference Attendee
"Sam Casanova did an excellent job of providing history and resources for further learning. It was great to be reminded of ways we can do a better job of educating our black children. I loved how she provided content warnings and encouraged self-care, how she engaged, encouraged participation from the audience and affirmed the responses. Wonderful presenter!"
— Conference Attendee
"Everytime you come and visit, the students continue the coversations for days afterwards. Last time, you explained the difference between Plan B and the Abortion Pill and many continued to have their own debates and conversations. But you'd hear students respectfully correcting others or giving information, and other students recieving that information and being receptive. They're such a cool generation--and we appreciate everytime you all come and do a session with us!"
— Teacher
“I wanted to reach out and thank you again for being with us yesterday and supporting our community with your resources! I think the supply demonstrations and wheel of questions were terrific ways to engage folx.
Your approach and energy really seemed to put students at ease, which allowed them to engage with open curiosity! The feedback we got was overwhelmingly positive, and I sincerely hope we can keep the lines of communication open and engage in future partnerships. Endless thanks!
— Community Member
“Thank you again for your excellent work with our students. I was so impressed with your calm, joyful demeanor and clear, direct explanations with them. Quite a few kids were nervous/quite uncomfortable going into a lesson series on Sex Ed, and your agility around navigating tough questions non-judgmentally put them at ease and brought them back to class each day excited to see you and learn more. I hope and legitimately believe that the impression you made set the tone for them to open up and be willing to discuss sexual health questions they have with trusted adults in the future as well."
— Teacher
"I wanted to let you know that we were so pleased with Sam Casanova's Anatomy lesson for the 7th graders today.
She was engaging, she had excellent delivery, she managed the time well, the information flowed well, she was able to get students to ask questions. She was wonderful!"
(Via email)
— School Nurse
"I heard such great things from the hall and had to pop in! You clearly know your content and are such a pro with classroom management!
50 kids isn't easy. Thank you for being so gender inclusive in your lessons like talking about binders and puberty blockers."
"We need more people talking about gender intentionally."
— School Admin
“Hi Sam! Thank you so much for coming in (virtually) to help us learn! The kids were SO sad Thursday when we were done!
Attached is an image of a thank you note from the kids!"
— Teacher
"I identify as a lesbian and had no idea that any of this could apply to me. Like STIs. I learned so much and have to tell my girlfriend. Thank you for coming."
— Student
“You are amazing; the way you talk about different gender identities and student options is really inspiring. We appreciate how inclusive and intentional you were."
— Teacher