Ambassador Program

The Welcoming Schools Ambassador Program is designed to equip educators, administrators, and community leaders with the tools and knowledge to create more inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environments for all students, particularly LGBTQ+ youth. Ambassadors will serve as advocates and leaders in their local communities, working with school sites to adopt Welcoming Schools classroom practices and staff development.

Welcoming Schools is looking for a cohort of Ambassadors to represent and advocate for inclusive schools across the country. Ambassadors network and organize with school educators and principals, school board members, and student services staff to incorporate Welcoming Schools lesson plans, booklists, policy advocacy, and engagement in National Day of Reading: a Celebration of LGBTQ+ Stories. 

The cohort will consist of educators, parents, community advocates, and district alumni from small-to-large school districts in rural, suburban, and urban locales. Whether you are well-versed in the Welcoming Schools Approach or this is your first time getting to know us, we believe you have what it takes to help us make a difference in the lives of students in schools. 

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THIS PROGRAM IS FREE

Ambassador Perks

  • Access to Comprehensive Resources: Ambassadors receive exclusive knowledge of Welcoming Schools resources to create inclusive, respectful, and welcoming school environments. This knowledge guides direct support to school staff to address key school climate impacts to address bias-based bullying and LGBTQ+ inclusion. 
  • Leadership Development: Gain tools for community engagement and advocacy for inclusive classroom practices and staff development through Ambassador training quarterly calls, coaching workshops, and direct support from Welcoming Schools staff. 
  • National Network: Integral member of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation network with local and national leaders, partner organizations, school staff, youth-serving professionals, and families fostering connections to promote equality for all. 
  • Exclusive Community Opportunities: Exclusive and early access to Welcoming Schools and Human Rights Campaign Foundation community spaces for development, community building, networking, and advocacy.

Criteria 

  • Must be age 18 or older 
  • Hold direct connection and relationship with local schools 
  • Availability to network and organize in your local community
  • Attend a full-day virtual training on Saturday, April 12, 2025
  • Join quarterly cohort calls starting May 2025
  • Maintain active communication with Welcoming Schools staff 

Application 

Please submit your application by the deadline and the Welcoming Schools team will inform selected Ambassadors by Friday, March 28, 2025. Our application is designed to get to know you better and get a sense of your work locally. Please share as much as you are comfortable. All finalists will have an opportunity to interview with Welcoming Schools staff to provide a deeper sense of your fit for the program. 

Welcoming Schools Ambassador Applications are due Friday, March 21, 2025.