Janna Barkin
Janna Barkin is an author, educator, and parent of a transgender person. Janna combines her many years of experience as a preschool educator/director and her expertise as a workshop presenter, speaker, group facilitator, and parent coach to bring educational and inspirational learning opportunities to educators, administrators, parents, caregivers, and community members. Since 2015, Janna has led a support group for parents and caregivers and another for grandparents of transgender and gender-expansive and questioning youth. She has been a featured speaker and workshop facilitator at California Council of Cooperative Preschools Conferences, Gender Spectrum Conferences, the Philadelphia TransWellness Conference, at Fortune 500 corporations including The Gap and Microsoft, and at schools, bookstores, libraries, and other community gatherings. Janna’s new book, A Grand Love: Stories for Grandparents of Transgender Grandchildren (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2024), is sure to be a moving and helpful resource. It includes personal stories and observations from the perspectives of the author, grandparents of transgender grandchildren, and transgender people themselves. Janna’s first book, He’s Always Been My Son: A Mother’s Story About Raising Her Transgender Son (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017), is an inspiring and moving story told from the heart of an extraordinary family. This book recounts the emotional and uplifting journey of raising a transgender child. To learn more about Janna and the work she does, visit her website.
Current Workshops
Supporting Gender Diversity in Early Childhood Settings
In this workshop, participants will gather the understanding and tools needed to support gender diversity in early childhood settings. Janna Barkin will provide information about gender and gender identity, classroom best practices, resources, and insightful takeaways for educators who want to create a more inclusive and just world for children and all of us.
Educator Cohort Committed to Queer and Trans Inclusion and Equity in Schools
In this program, participants who self-identify as queer and/or trans and participants who are active allies for queer and trans communities will meet throughout the school year to build and strengthen their practices as educators in supporting and empowering queer and trans students, staff, and folks within their school communities.
Adapting Together
This session offers practical insights and empathetic guidance for fostering open communication and understanding within the family. Discover tools to strengthen family bonds, promote empathy, and foster a supportive environment for every family member. This program will support educators, parents, grandparents, family, friends, colleagues, social workers, therapists, and community members.