Apprentice Report: Imagining a Better Way

Imagine’s Teaching Artist Apprentice Daylon De Alva finished his apprenticeship this month. As he wrapped up, we asked him to share some reflections on his experience with Imagine over the past few months. Here’s what he had to say:

I knew that Imagine’s work helps children to learn about themselves as they reflect on the often daunting world around them, but what I never expected was that working with Imagine would do the very same for me.

I began my learning journey as a Teaching Artist Apprentice at a placement within the JCCS (Juvenile Court and Community School System) where I first saw the love that Imagine brings to its work. Students in such placements face obstacles at every turn, yet Imagine sees beyond the labels society has put on these students, and instead chooses to appeal to the human beings that they are. This love fills all that Imagine does—from the students to the teaching artists themselves—and everyone Imagine touches is regarded, and loved, as a fellow human being.

It gives me hope to see a company treating the world as a place of love and compassion rather than the social hierarchies and rugged individualism that are entrenched in the collective social consciousness.

This love was present as I moved to a placement with the Safa’s Story curriculum where I was given the opportunity to observe, co-teach, and then lead a class all on my own over the course of a day. This three week placement was an incredible way to ease me into the process of teaching this wonderful curriculum and building a small community. The team at Imagine did an incredible job of moving me forward through the learning process and I felt safe to try (and even fail) every step of the way.

As I learned and grew through the apprenticeship program, I also learned more about myself. As I was in charge of teaching a group of small human beings, I had to reaffirm who I was so that I could bring my authentic self to the room. I questioned myself—who am I and what do I value as a human being? Is what I have to offer valid? I had to be sure of myself so that I could teach with confidence. Thankfully Imagine was there to ensure that I was never alone in my journey, and if I ever faltered, they were right behind me to support me every step of the way.

When I had my initial interview, I was asked to reflect on the name of the company, Imagine, and what that word meant to me. The conversation that followed was the first of many gifts, small moments of truth in clarity that have helped me to shape my view of myself and the world around me.

In a world in which those who succeed must do so by the subjugation of others, Imagine dares us to do just that: imagine. They remind us that there are other ways, better ways, and that life doesn’t have to be a competition. Imagine asks that we imagine a better way.