Laura Ayam
Laura Ayam was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and graduated university there with a degree in Educational Psychology before moving to New York in 2005. Upon relocating she attended The Art Student's League of New York as a full-time studio artist for three years. In 2011 Laura graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a MA in Art and Art Education. Laura has taught in New York public and private schools across the five boroughs through an outreach program from the New York Historical Society and has also led in-museum programs for families. In 2012 Laura joined Community Roots, a Roots ConnectED learning site, as a Middle School founding staff member, and has been teaching Art there for the past 9 years. Laura is a fierce advocate for arts in education, and is deeply committed to facilitating learning across disciplines. She is a firm believer in the power the arts have to help learn and understand multiple perspectives, and challenge preconceived notions of race, gender, class, ability and cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds. She knows art can contribute to cultivating a sense of social responsibility, encouraging students to consider each other, local and global communities, and the environment. She is fueled and inspired by the far-reaching benefits of a life full of art and how it can empower people to tap into the infinite potential that lies within each human being. In the past year Laura has taken on the role of Presentation of Learning Coordinator at her site, supporting teachers across grades and disciplines as they envision meaningful and authentic ways for students to share their learning with a particular audience or the community at large. Laura has been invited to present her interdisciplinary work with a focus on social justice at Columbia University and the National Art Education Association, facilitating workshops, offering lectures and participating in panels and round tables for prospective and current art educators across the country. Laura has facilitated Roots ConnectED workshops since 2019, focusing on supporting educators with their development of curriculum that addresses social justice issues, facilitating learning with and through the arts across disciplines and centering on relevant, authentic and joyful learning for all.