LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Natalie Reynoso was nominated by a member in the community, Erica Soria.

Ms. Reynoso is passionate about celebrating her student's cultural heritage. In her words, "My goal is for my students to feel comfortable in their diverse skin, and to give students a chance to reflect on their culture and heritage. Students are given choices as they self-select images for their art. Students learn skills as they manage their time and goals through project-based learning. They research, plan, draw drafts, follow steps, and revise their own work to accomplish projects from start to finish."

"One need in our classroom is for skin tone colored markers, skin tone colored pencils, and skin tone paints for student's self portraits, grandparents' portraits, family portraits, and hero portraits. Most pencils, markers, and paint sets come with only one peach skin tone, or none at all. This is not at all inclusive of our diverse student population or the other people our students select for their art projects. Students would feel seen. By providing quality art supplies including a vast range of skin tone shades, students are able to create art that reflects who they really are. Students will feel a sense of belonging as we will have art supplies that match the color of their skin, the skin of their loved ones, and their heroes," said Reynoso.