Welcome to the Faculty Spotlight! Our programs at Lighthouse are led by the incredible writers and Faculty members who make each workshop and reading special with their own unique style. This time, we're going to meet Teré Fowler-Chapman, who joined Lighthouse’s faculty in 2025 and teaches primarily in the Young Writers Program and Community Engagement programs. You can also watch a short video where Teré talks about their teaching philosophy.
Meet Our Faculty
Teré Fowler-Chapman (he/they) BFA, CLC, PRC, is a Black trans poet, educator, and certified life and recovery coach based in Denver, with roots in Tucson and Bossier City. An MFA student at Antioch University and the author of M O O N S H i N E and the chapbook series Becoming [ ], you can find Teré or his work at TEDx, NPR/PBS, VOCA, WE THE SOIL, Green Linden Press, The Feminist Wire, Canvas Rebel Magazine, and more. Through his writing, teaching, and recovery work, Teré explores the intersections of identity, healing, community, and belonging. He has collaborated with organizations including Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Hugo House, HardBeauty, and Colorado Artists in Recovery (CAIR), using creative writing as a therapeutic modality and tool for self-expression. He was the first Black Executive Director of the Tucson Poetry Festival and founder of Words on the Avenue, the first Black-owned open-mic poetry series in Tucson, AZ. Teré is a Marsha P. Johnson Institute Fellow, National Arts Strategies alum, and Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy Award nominee. With more than a decade of experience in advocacy, youth development, education, and the arts, he has built a career rooted in empowering others through storytelling, creative practice, and recovery-centered approaches to radical self-acceptance. Learn more at terefc.com.
Let's learn more about Teré in the Q&A below:
What kind of writing do you do? What led you here?
I love this question! My writing is somewhere at the intersection of poetry and lyrical essays, and dances the spectrum of these genres. What led me to Denver a few years ago, love. What led me to Lighthouse, also love. My love for teaching and poetry. My pedagogy now is rooted in the healing aspect of writing and Lighthouse has been a dream to be able to bring my whole self to my work: race and gender inclusivity, using poetry as a tool to navigate trauma, and getting the opportunity to work with all ages.
What songs or albums have been on your regular rotation lately?
I looove me some Kendrick Lamar. I like the way he explores the vulnerabilities of masculinity. My favorite album: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers! I also listen to Lauryn Hill’s Unplugged album a lot and anything from the 90s (mostly anything).
As far as new age, I’m honestly letting anything play all the way through that has a smooth beat, intentional wordplay, and a unique sound. "Good Flirt" by Baby Keem ft Momo Boyd and Kendrick Lamar (did I say Kendrick yet?) definitely is on repeat.
Got any news to share about upcoming projects, events, etc.?
I’ve been thinking a lot about the future, so I started a Substack called ReVision Lit! Where I’m archiving my old workshop and lesson plans, giving weekly writing prompts, and a monthly newsletter. If you’re a teaching artist and writer (or hope to become either one), you’ll find an archive of trauma-informed and culturally-competent facilitator guides, self-guided workshops you can write your way through, and a few four-week writing courses given throughout the year. I’d love to write with you there.
