About Alejandra
Hometown: Miami, FL
Degree: B.A. in Public Policy, Minor in Education & Elementary Education Licensure (K-6)
Alejandra graduated from Duke University with her B.A. in Public Policy, Minor in Education & Elementary Education Licensure (K-6). She is a second-year TeachHouse Fellow and teaches 7th grade ELA and Social Studies at Brogden Middle School. During her undergraduate career, she worked at a local education nonprofit in Ahmedabad, India as part of a DukeEngage service trip, studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark and taught English at a school there, and has worked for over two years at a local Durham nonprofit called StudentU. She is passionate about using an anti-racist and equity lens in her classroom, and hopes that all of her past, present, and future students feel empowered to become change makers in their communities.
Why do you want to become a teacher?
My passion for education began when I was very young, playing “teacher” with my brother and imaginary students in my bedroom-turned-classroom, complete with a large whiteboard, Expo markers, and workstation. At the same time, I grew up volunteering at shelters, schools, and churches with my parents, and I learned not only how fortunate I was, but also, how unjust, and unequal society really is. I believe that education has the capacity to be an equalizer, but that in order for it to be transformative, we, as society, must choose to invest in high quality, anti-racist, culturally responsive schools.
Published Articles
https://colorofeducation.org/the-hardest-marathon-yet-striving-for-raci…
https://populationeducation.org/what-the-u-s-can-learn-from-scandinavia…
https://populationeducation.org/9-summer-activities-kids-can-do-at-home…
https://populationeducation.org/build-a-democratic-classroom-with-the-u…
Awards
- William J. Griffith University Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Durham & Local Community from Duke University (2021)
- NC Campus Compact Community Impact Student Award from Duke University (2021)
- Middle School Teacher of the Summer Award from StudentU Nonprofit (2019)
