Our Vision

The Proud Educator Network (PEN) seeks to transform schools by supporting the practice of LGBTQ+ educators. We advocate for the freedom of teachers, principals, paras and other school professionals to authentically express their gender identity and sexual orientation in workplaces that are safe and supportive. Through storytelling, networking and action-based research, we educate ourselves and others to dismantle structures that limit the freedom of queer practitioners to be themselves with students and families.  By liberating educators to be LGBTQ role models and by entering into solidarity with other marginalized groups, we seek to create schools in which teachers are more effective and students are learning to celebrate the rich diversity of human experience in an inclusive, pluralistic society.