Dear New Haven Public Schools Visual Arts Department,

 

My name is Arianna Alamo and I am a New Haven Promise Scholar and Southern Connecticut State University Graduate. Through my research, I discovered the deep need for art educators in the New Haven school system. With experience working at the high school level and elementary levels, I believe that this is a need that I am qualified and motivated to fill.  

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The New Haven School district is very close to my heart, as it is the education system that built me. I am eager to receive an opportunity to give back to my community and fulfill the New Haven Promise motto; “To, Through, and Back.”  

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In the 2021-22 school year, I had the opportunity to serve the district as a substitute teacher and later, a paraprofessional in a self-contained classroom. It was during this time that I saw how valuable art-making was to the most vulnerable population of students.  I spent time with students during a time of transition, as they returned to school after being home for a year and a half due to Covid-19. Engaging in making art brought joy and smiles to their faces, even behind the masks.  

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As an Art Educator, I believe it is my duty to ignite a creative light in every student that I cross paths with. There are several creative thought processes that students will learn with me as their guide, many of which are transferable to other content areas and transferable to life outside the school walls.  It is critical that an art educator teaches their students that art is a multifunctional tool used for critical thinking, expression of self, and communication. In our community in particular, the youth are in need of positive role models and creative outlets. I believe that I am someone who can lead young minds to those outlets. 

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Warm Regards,  

Arianna Alamo