“I feel like I can make wins. I can win in the classroom & I can win in my school but it feels like I can win more for LGBT+ people & Trans people & Trans students as well as educators.”

Kacey DeGroot (she/her), my first guest for season 4 of ‘Pause… And Rewind…’, is a drama teacher and trade unionist on a mission. She’s currently campaigning to be elected as the Deputy General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), the largest education union in Europe, representing teachers, lecturers, support staff, and school leaders in the UK's maintained and independent schools and colleges. Having been involved for many years within the NEU’s LGBTQ+ committee, she’s ready to step up. Which has come at a crucial time with schools feeling the impact of the Supreme Court Ruling & EHRC guidance on gender & bathrooms.

Kacey began teaching in 2005 and when she transitioned in 2018, it was the support of union members that got her through. She made a video for her whole school & she was able to thrive in her role as a teacher. Fast forward to today’s landscape for Trans+ folk and things are much more challenging - something Kacey has felt the brunt of. But she is feeling the spirit of fight & resistance within herself & the community.

We talk about Little Kacey being a ‘daydreamer’ & an ‘oddbod’ with a desperate desire to fit in. We also chat about the influence of her dad as a market trader on her theatrical flair along with the realisation of her ADHD & transness, her career journey from door to door sales to performing and becoming a teacher which she loves.

Kacey is at an exciting crossroads in her life. Listen in to this conversation and please do show your support for Kacey however you can. If you’re a teacher & part of the NEU, please consider voting for Kacey. If you know a teacher, share Kacey’s story with them. Kacey is a voice for change - she’s got the experience, she’s done the work and we need more Trans+ people in positions like the one she’s campaigning for. Read more about Kacey’s campaign here | https://www.kaceydegroot.org/deputy-general-secretary

PLEASE NOTE | We do cover some challenging topics during this conversation around mental health, suicide & the current landscape for the Trans+ community. Please take care of yourself whilst listening.