TU to empower local educators to advocate for local, queer youth

By TOWSON UNIVERSITY on June 6, 2023

Towson University opened the application for Pedagogical Resources for Inclusion of Sexual Minorities (PRISM) for educators in Maryland. PRISM is a summer professional development course for area K–12 educators that builds skills, capacity, resources and networking for the advocacy and support of Baltimore LGBTQ+ youth.PRISM is a pilot initiative, made possible by a grant from the LGBTQ Fund of the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF), that leverages Towson University’s commitment to serving as an anchor institution for greater Baltimore. After the program, participants will implement their new skills while challenging and transforming systems and structures to become full-fledged advocates for queer youth.  

“The approach taken by PRISM provides teachers with the tools they need to support and enhance the education of queer students in their classrooms, so the students can have as much success as possible,” says Brian Jara, TU assistant director of diversity training and educational initiatives. “PRISM will identify educator allies who are interested in building their skills, tools and capacities to become advocates of and partners to local, queer youth.” 

PRISM is a 30-hour program with four virtual hours in June and July, 24 in-person hours held at Towson University from Mon., July 24 through Thurs., July 27 and the last two virtual hours will occur in fall 2023. In addition to instruction, participants will receive: 

• A $400 stipend  
• On-campus parking and lunch 
• $200 in funding for project implementation 
• 2 Continuing Professional Development credits  

Any K-12 educator in Maryland is encouraged to apply before applications close on June 30. Apply here.  

About Towson University
Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with more than 20,000 students and 100 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff.