This winter, I was invited to join the Sex Ed Leadership Retreat hosted by theSex Ed Lecture Series’ Bill Taverner and Kelly Gainor. After a challenging year, I needed to be surrounded by other sex educators and field leaders. I went hoping to feel a renewing sense of comradery, to share grief and anger, and to envision a new future for the sex ed field. In December 2025, sex education leaders gathered for the annual Sex Ed Leadership Retreat to address challenges and joys facing comprehensive sexuality education. Here are my key takeaways from this transformative experience.
The Resilience of Sex Education Professionals Through History
During one session, we discussed the history of the field of sex education over the decades. I was reminded that we have gone through challenging periods of time in the past, from the AIDS pandemic of the 1980s to the abstinence-only crave of the early 2000s and more. We as a field are adept at pivoting and being resilient. We will continue to be so.
Innovative Sex Education Leaders Share Expertise
Not surprisingly, the room was filled with innovative and boundary-pushing educators who shared their expertise.
Olivia Loneman presented a break-out session confronting the reproductive oppression and embodied trauma carried by Native Americans. As an enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, Loneman shared her own story and those of her relatives. Better understanding the history and current realities of native people with regard to reproductive health care and sexual health education helps me and other educators tailor our messaging and approach to be more trauma-informed.
Erica Smith engaged us in an exploration of how high-control religions have impacted sex education. The influence of the leaders of high-control religious groups have had significant political impact which then impacts the laws and regulations that sex educators must adhere to. Understanding how we got to the current state of politics and regulations makes it easier to navigate the future.
Natalie Huiteman challenged us to consider what is truly needed for consent when it comes to people with dementia. She argued that love, intimacy, and physical connection are a core element of the human experience, even as we age. How do care facility staff and family members help support older people’s need for touch while considering their need for health and safety?
Envisioning the Future of Comprehensive Sexuality Education
While connecting with so many skilled educators and leaders was uplifting, I was disheartened at the lack of vision for the future. In one session, we brainstormed innovations and emerging approaches to sex education. I felt a lack of cohesion or inspiration for where we go from here. There was little talk about how we modernize our pedagogy, harness the power of technology, or learn from other fields in order to maximize our impact.
I know there are people who are doing innovative work and who are advancing the field. What are you doing that is breaking the mold and moving us forward? What innovations are you implementing in your sex education practice? Share in the comments below.
About the author:
Mia Barrett, MEd, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, is a leader in leveraging technology to advance comprehensive sexuality education. Mia combines evidence-based sexuality education with innovative digital solutions to make sexual health education more accessible and engaging. With a Master of Education and extensive experience in the field, Mia specializes in developing technology-driven approaches to sex education, including digital curriculum development, online educator training, and mobile-based sexual health interventions. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between traditional sexuality education methods and modern technological tools to better serve educators, parents, and young people. Connect with Mia: – Website: miabarrett.com – LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mia-barrett-med –
Learn more about technology innovations in sex education at dfusioninc.com
Learn more from featured educators:
Sex Ed Lecture Series offers comprehensive professional development, cutting-edge sexuality research, and a collective learning community for sexuality professionals at all stages of their careers. It was founded by Bill Taverner. Kelly Gainor serves as the Advisory Borad Chair. https://sexedlectures.org/
Olivia Loneman provided anti-oppressive, inclusive education through her firm Many Paths Consulting. https://www.manypathsconsulting.com/about
Erica Smith provided on-on-one consulting and support groups for those who emerged from purity culture https://www.ericasmitheac.com/
Dr. Nathalie Huiteman offers training and can be found at https://www.drnathaliehuitema.com/