"It's not about what you love. It's about how you love it."
- Wil Wheaton
My name is Alyssa Black and I am a recent graduate of University of San Diego, earning my M.Ed in Curriculum Design and Instruction in May of 2015, as well as my single-subject teaching credential in English. I have been, most recently, a long-term substitute at Point Loma High School, where I taught four 9th-grade English classes and the yearbook staff. All students had access to 1-1 netbooks within my classroom that were used daily. Check out our classroom blog under the "Blogs" tab above!
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, I moved to San Diego in 2009 where I could begin my undergraduate work at University of San Diego with new surroundings to discover and learn from. I was lucky enough to be able to work with students of all ages throughout my coursework, learning as much from them as they did from me. I worked for two years at Linda Vista Elementary School in a 3rd-4th grade mild/moderate special education classroom, and spent two more years working at Barrio Logan College Institute, an after-school program for students who come from low socioeconomic, underprivileged families. After four years, I earned my Bachelor's degree in English in May, 2013, and began my work as graduate student in the fall of the same year.
I have wanted to pursue education since I was very small. I loved the environment of shared learning that a classroom could create. I am passionate about creating a safe space for my students to grow and discover in ways that welcome creativity, collaboration, and 21st-century skills. My education has given me many opportunities that I am profoundly grateful for every day, from traveling to and studying in London, England; Florence, Italy; Duncans, Jamaica; and Tokyo, Japan, to helping to run and continue to develop a high-school leadership conference called Nevada Girls State.
Though education is my first passion, I continue to develop my passions in every area of my life. I am a member of the San Diego Women's Chorus, a newly converted yogi, a traveler, knitter, crafter, baker, nerdfighter, and, most importantly, a Hufflepuff. I love reading (of course!), musicals and theatre, Doctor Who, anything made by Joss Whedon, board games, trying out new recipes, discovering new places, and hanging out with my family. Pictured above is me with my cousin Bodie, aged six at the time of the photo.
I look forward to continuing to grow as a person and as an educator. I hope we get a chance to connect in the process!
DFTBA (Don't Forget To Be Awesome),
Alyssa Black
P.S. Check out some of the things I'm involved in below!
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, I moved to San Diego in 2009 where I could begin my undergraduate work at University of San Diego with new surroundings to discover and learn from. I was lucky enough to be able to work with students of all ages throughout my coursework, learning as much from them as they did from me. I worked for two years at Linda Vista Elementary School in a 3rd-4th grade mild/moderate special education classroom, and spent two more years working at Barrio Logan College Institute, an after-school program for students who come from low socioeconomic, underprivileged families. After four years, I earned my Bachelor's degree in English in May, 2013, and began my work as graduate student in the fall of the same year.
I have wanted to pursue education since I was very small. I loved the environment of shared learning that a classroom could create. I am passionate about creating a safe space for my students to grow and discover in ways that welcome creativity, collaboration, and 21st-century skills. My education has given me many opportunities that I am profoundly grateful for every day, from traveling to and studying in London, England; Florence, Italy; Duncans, Jamaica; and Tokyo, Japan, to helping to run and continue to develop a high-school leadership conference called Nevada Girls State.
Though education is my first passion, I continue to develop my passions in every area of my life. I am a member of the San Diego Women's Chorus, a newly converted yogi, a traveler, knitter, crafter, baker, nerdfighter, and, most importantly, a Hufflepuff. I love reading (of course!), musicals and theatre, Doctor Who, anything made by Joss Whedon, board games, trying out new recipes, discovering new places, and hanging out with my family. Pictured above is me with my cousin Bodie, aged six at the time of the photo.
I look forward to continuing to grow as a person and as an educator. I hope we get a chance to connect in the process!
DFTBA (Don't Forget To Be Awesome),
Alyssa Black
P.S. Check out some of the things I'm involved in below!