āTo be honest, I always ran away from teaching,ā reflects Aiyonna Aviles, 5th and 6th grade social studies teacher at ČĖĘŽĀŅĀ× DC WILL Academy. āIn my head, Iām like, āNo. Iām not going to be a teacher.ā But looking back, I was always teaching.ā
Originally from Virginia Beach, Aiyonna majored in history at Norfolk State University, then spent years working in museums and research institutions in New York. āI love to research. When I was an undergrad, I was a student researcher for the National Science Foundation, so I got to travel and research. I miss that aspectāfalling down a rabbit hole and uncovering more and more information.ā
Though she once tried to ārun away from teaching,ā the role found her again and again. From being a camp counselor, reading bedtime stories to the neighbors, and after-school teaching at a children’s program to working at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and the New York Historical Society, Aiyonna realized, āEven doing research and teaching in museums, Iām still teaching public education.ā
When the pandemic hit, she transitioned into classroom teaching full-time, eventually finding her way to ČĖĘŽĀŅĀ× DC after seven years in New York. āI love New York, but I was more exhausted just by living in the big city.ā DC offered something different. āI always loved visiting DC, so I came down, and I loved ČĖĘŽĀŅĀ× DC and WILL Academy.ā
At WILL, Aiyonna brings her deep love of history into every lesson. āI think everyone thinks of historical content and things that happened in the past. But the social part is that what happened in the past is impacting whatās happening right now.ā In her classroom, students explore not just geography and culture, but economics, global connections, and human experiences. āThey are starting to connect the dots between history, geography, culture, and their own lives here in DC. Itās powerful.ā
Her classroom is rooted in inquiry, connection, and critical thinking. āThey like to collaborate and ask questions,ā Aiyonna shares about her students. āWeāll be in a lesson, and they will be, āWell, hold on, how does this work? How does rent work? How do taxes work?ā And we’re unpacking all of that.ā Recent lessons have covered everything from how rent and taxes work to planning African vacations using real budgets and currency conversions.
As a first-year teacher at ČĖĘŽĀŅĀ× DC, Aiyonna has already felt the strong ČĖĘŽĀŅĀ×. āI like that I’m challenged to be a better teacher every day, but I also have the support to grow.ā With coaching, team meetings, and consistent support, she feels both challenged and cared for. āIām hard on myself, but Iām realizing that I need to give myself flowers, too,ā she reflects. āMy students are learning, theyāre remembering, and theyāre excited to be here. That matters.ā
Looking ahead, Aiyonna hopes to dive deeper into curriculum work. āThatās really what Iām passionate about. I would love to frame a curriculum that is impactful, not just learning dates and times or places, but really deep diving into the connection between all of these things.ā
Until then, sheās right where sheās meant to beāsparking curiosity, encouraging questions, and helping students see how history lives all around them.
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