English Literature with Jasmine J.

I am a twenty-three-year-old Philadelphia native. I attended Drexel University and graduated with a B.A. in English and minor in Politics. During my time at Drexel, I worked as a private nanny, volunteered at a local community writing center program and worked in Drexel's student writing center. I would help undergraduate and graduate students analyze, brainstorm and revise their essays or resumes, as I completed weekly professional development writing research and exercises with my writing center team. Simultaneously, I immersed myself in Drexel's 'Writers Room' collective. With that creative opportunity, I worked alongside high school students and elder members of the West Philly community to document our experience through creative non-fiction pieces and a yearly anthology. We analyzed everything from family trauma to gentrification and I had the privilege of developing some great personal and professional relationships along the way. Upon graduation, I extended my relationship with this group and began a service year working as a teaching artist for a non-profit organization. I aided in creating lessons for 9-12 grade English classes and creating and facilitating writing workshops for the students. During this time, I also connected the new high school students with the Drexel community. I appreciate sharing my personal interests and experience with students, as well as being open about my own growth and progress with my goals. Traveling and visiting live music performances feed my desire to teach. This transparency has helped me to encourage my students to constantly challenge their original perceptions of themselves and grow as mature individuals!