When a caterpillar receives her wings and her voice...

4/28/2019 0 Comments

When a caterpillar receives her wings and her voice...

Deepassionate1 Speaks

I know that women's month is over, but this woman right here falls into formation for Poetry Month and we still have two whole days left to celebrate that. So there!!!
I want to introduce you to Jessica Elexis Monroe, one of my sis-stars from my butterfly collection. She is an educator and author with versatile expressiveness. Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, Jessica attended New York City public schools and fell in love with the written word at an early age. She uses the unique insect of the butterfly as an educational mascot and symbol of universal transformation. Thus she earned the nickname “Maestra Mariposa” from her Spanish speaking students. Jess encourages her Butterfly Scholars to utilize media skills to learn and embody character values; allowing them to improve their mindsets and academic performance. Jessica “JaiE!” Monroe is destined to FLY!

I worked with Jess during the 2010- 2011 school year @ Aspire Prep in the Bronx. I was the Literacy Coach there and Jess and I quickly built a friendship outside of work. I remember spending our mornings together praying and praising (Jess can sing y'all)
before entering into our workspaces. We have a common goal and passion for literacy that we shared with our students daily. However, our time working together was short-lived, after working together for a year, I left Aspire and started my work as a reading specialist, working with incarcerated youth. And as time went on, Jess and I lost contact with each other.

Fast-forward and press the play button, a few years later after creating Passion Filled Writers, Women's Edition and hosting a writing event for women. In that audience, on that day, my sis-star friend found her way back to my life and we have been vibing ever since then.

Jess was working hard inside her chrysalis as a Passion Filled ELA teacher and as a film director and producer. Then a few months ago I got a phone call and was invited to be her guest on her public access television show Metamorphosis Media Magic. I knew then like I know now, Jess received her wings and is using her voice and her show as a platform of liberation and "Metamorphosis" for the youth and adults in her community.