This year, we proudly hosted hundreds of After School Matters instructors at our Instructor Forum: Nurturing an Ecosystem of Wellness and Community at Northeastern Illinois University. The event was dedicated to celebrating our instructors and allowing them to learn, connect, and continue to grow alongside their peers.
Held annually, the Instructor Forum brings together instructors who serve as mentors to teens across Chicago, representing every corner of the city and every program area—from culinary arts to theater production, coding to urban gardening. No matter the subject or neighborhood, our instructors share a deep commitment to creating supportive, empowering spaces for teens to learn, explore, and thrive. Instructor Forum is an investment in our instructors and a development opportunity for them to strengthen their skillset, ensuring they are prepared to lead and educate young people.
The day kicked off with a Land Acknowledgement by the Aztec Dance Instructor Susana Banuelos, who performed a song to unite and ground all the instructors before they started their day of learning. Alex Goldin, Advanced Drawing and Painting Instructor, delivered a powerful keynote reflecting on how ASM shaped his life and inspired his journey as an artist and mentor.
Our educators spent the afternoon engaging in workshops and breakout sessions focused on youth empowerment, mental health, conflict resolution, and other critical tools to strengthen their craft. They had the chance to reflect on their roles as mentors, learn new strategies to deepen their impact, and connect with peers who share a passion for youth development.
Teens from our Leadership Councils also took center stage. Gately Park teens hosted wellness booths with self-care tips, while Gallery 37 teens led a presentation on youth mental health and how instructors can offer meaningful support.
The Forum concluded with a celebration of the day’s learning and the incredible impact of our instructors. ASM alum Tiana Davis followed with a soulful performance on guitar and vocals, energizing the room.
CEO Mary Ellen Caron, Chief Program Officer Tony Diaz, and Director of Learning Communities Maranielly Vazquez recognized the dedication of instructors citywide, thanking them for their unwavering commitment to teens. Instructors were also honored for their years of service, some spanning over 15 years.
The celebration culminated with Purple Star Awards presented to four outstanding instructors and one extraordinary community-based organization.
Araceli Mireles, a proud ASM alum, now leads the very Lutz Cooking and Baking program she once participated in, empowering the next generation of culinary artists.
Russell Weiss, a longtime instructor at Gallery 37, inspires hundreds of teens through his Painting on Canvas and Creating with Scent: An Introduction to Perfumery programs.
Erick “Roho” Garcia, a celebrated Chicago muralist, shares his talent with aspiring young artists through canvas painting and large-scale public art.
Lori James, CEO and Instructor of Love to Serve, has brought her passion for tennis to South Side teens for decades.
We recognize that our instructors are at the heart of everything we do. Their dedication is what makes our programs possible—and what makes them transformational for the young people we serve.
Thank you to all our instructors for your unwavering dedication to our teens every day!