Art
jquilesreyes@ms915brooklyn.org
Hi, I’m Ms. Janice (she/they/ella), and I’m excited to be your art teacher! I’m a proud Nuyorican, born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and now living in Sunnyside, Queens with my husband and middle-school aged daughter. I believe that art can be a powerful tool for change, and I’m passionate about creating classrooms that are safe, welcoming, and accessible to everyone.
I love helping students express themselves through art while also learning about empathy, collaboration, and non-violent communication. I work hard to make sure all my students feel seen, heard, and included. I focus on building anti-ableist spaces, supporting language justice, and decolonizing the way we teach and learn. My background in art therapy helps me create caring, trauma-informed spaces where students can freely express themselves.
When I’m not teaching and making art, I enjoy spending time gaming with my family, camping, identifying trees, plants, fauna, and mushrooms, cooking, and blending my own teas and spices. I can’t wait to get to know the students and support their discovery of how art can be a form of activism and self-expression!