Alyssa Clinkscales

Stay connected with alumni and schools that you observe. Make connections during student teaching. Choose the school that best fits you. Be the teacher that you always wanted or needed during your educational journey!

Alyssa Clinkscales first developed a love for art education at a young age. She was later inspired by her middle school art teacher who demonstrated the ability to make the subject exciting and limitless. Throughout her journey from kindergarten to 12th grade, Alyssa noticed that there were very few teachers of color who taught subjects amongst the arts. Through this observation, she felt compelled to pursue a career in art education. After completing her undergraduate program, she searched for a graduate program that would align well with her full-time job as a teaching artist in Philadelphia. The University of the Arts was the perfect fit! Through the vast amount of coursework and opportunities to observe various teachers, schools and classrooms, she felt fully prepared to enter the field of education upon the completion of the program. 

After graduation, Alyssa later started her teaching journey by teaching for two pre-k to eighth-grade catholic schools within the network of Philadelphia Independence Missions Schools. Currently, Alyssa serves as an art teacher for a private Montessori school teaching toddlers to sixth grade students. Outside of the classroom, Alyssa also enjoys teaching private art classes and creating works of her own. Alyssa plans to continue researching and implementing new practices and knowledge in her classroom while advocating for the arts and the benefits of art education.