I’m AJ Fox (they/them & she/her). I have twenty years of experience in peer-to-peer education with fifteen years experience working at the intersection of family education, abuse prevention, and sexuality and relational education. My work is deeply informed by my cherished role as a parent, Trusted Adult, and my experience as a queer (pansexual, genderqueer) and neurodivergent (ADHD) person.
From 2004 to 2008, I attended Missouri State University achieving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with supportive work in Gender Studies. During my time there, I approached psychology from a systems perspective and conducted research on implicit bias in an Industrial/Organizational lab. Alongside my academic endeavors I served on the board of a local non-profit bookstore focused at community connection and education. I contributed to a videoblog in the early days of YouTube aimed at distigmatizing conversations around sexuality and sexual health. I also dedicated my time to volunteering at Planned Parenthood of the Ozarks.
Following my undergraduate studies, I enrolled at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville from 2008 to 2011 to pursue a Master’s degree in Psychology. My focus during this period was on implicit bias in cognitive processing. I had the opportunity to supervise undergraduate students in the lab and taught General Psychology, Social Psychology, and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Additionally, I spearheaded the transition of the lab’s research methods from traditional paper and pencil data collection to online methodologies.
After completing my graduate studies, I returned to Springfield, Missouri. During this time, I focused on evaluating workflow and implementing digital organizational systems within various organizations. Simultaneously, I began working at the library, serving as a reference associate in both adult and children and youth services settings. As part of the library team, I contributed to ensuring the safety of the building and played a significant role in providing tech education.
In 2015, I embarked on a journey in a non-profit organization dedicated to lifelong educational work. For the past eight years, I have collaborated with diverse groups of all ages, aiming to bring conversations surrounding value alignment into their lives. My work primarily revolves around value exploration and alignment with a strong focus on promoting accessibility and inclusive practices within the organization. The work often focused on helping supplement their children and youth’s primary education with additional value-aligned programming. I created curriculum for and implemented summer program for elementary school-age children, supplementing their public school science curriculum with evolution-focused content. I have also co-facilitated LGBTQIA+ groups for youth and adult LGBTQIA+ caucus spaces. I have also overseen the Our Whole Lives program, serving as a co-facilitator for the K-1 and 4-6 grade cohorts.
Apart from my professional endeavors, I am a parent to two wonderful children, aged 3 and 6. Over the years, I have also been a Trusted Adult in the lives of many other children and youth. This experience has fueled my motivation to assist Trusted Adults in creating safe and supportive homes that foster Family Cultures aligned with their values.
In recent years, I have witnessed shifts in laws concerning sex education, book banning, and Educational Gag Orders. I began working with concerned parents who strive to be well-prepared in answering their children’s questions and establishing Family Cultures that align with their values. Many of these laws are presented as “parental rights” to teach about sexuality, relationships, emotional health, gender identity, and even history and biology. However, parents often find it challenging to know where to begin.
To address these challenges, I now offer a series of virtual trainings aimed at supporting parents, caregivers, and other Trusted Adults in creating inclusive and age-appropriate Family Cultures. These trainings cover topics such as LGBTQIA+ inclusion, gender identity, sexual health conversations, and navigating other difficult discussions. Additionally, I provide 1:1 Support Sessions for adults who require more personalized guidance or wish to practice specific skills.
This work allows me to directly empower and support parents in creating Family Cultures that prioritize accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive information for their children and youth.