Meet Rosana Gutierrez, A4L’s Operations Manager! She goes by Rosie around the office and has made a huge impact on the success of the A4L staff, Teaching Artists and the service we provide to partners and students. From studying Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) at the University of Florida, to teaching English, Science, and Arts lessons for K–6th-grade students in Madrid, Rosie brings a wealth of knowledge of systems, education and the arts to Team A4L and we are happy to celebrate her work with us!
Learn more about Rosie below, and click here to read her bio.
What brought you to A4L?
I saw the Operations Manager role was open and thought I would be a great fit. At that point, I didn’t know much about A4L, but in the interview process, I learned about the organization’s mission and knew I wanted to be a part of this team. I also grew up in an artistic environment and thought I’d feel at home at A4L.
What is your day-to-day at A4L like?
It depends on the day – If I’m working from home, I typically like to start out slower in the morning by answering emails, addressing any artist questions, and planning out my day. If I have any meetings that day, I prioritize joining those. My afternoons are when I feel most “inspired” and get most of my work done. I tend to work in bursts of energy and manage to work on office management, vendor coordination, payroll, and other operations matters later in the day. On the days I visit the Lewis Arts Studio, which is usually at least once a week, I will open the studio, check the mail, make sure the space is functioning properly, and get some administrative work done. Overall, my weeks vary depending on what I’m working on.
Tell us some fun facts about you.
I am a twin! Most people don’t know that, and I always forget to tell them that there’s another person just like me.
Do you have an artistic or non-artistic accomplishment you’re most proud of?
I used to play piano when I was younger and my favorite composer was Chopin. I also learned to play “La Comparsa” by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona – one of the most challenging pieces I learned – when I was 14.
What has been a life lesson you’ve learned through the arts?
I’ve learned acceptance and understanding through the arts. I’ve learned to accept all forms of self-expression, as they are unique to each individual. Having an artist mom also taught me to pay attention to the smaller details in life.
What inspires you about the work A4L does?
I love that the work we do here has a tangible impact on our community. The seeds we are planting will sprout into study trees one day.
Do you have an impactful A4L story to share?
I felt inspired by the students participating in our ArtWorks internship. I met most of them during the onboarding processes, and got to see their final projects during their culminating event. I was impressed with the work they managed to achieve in such a short time. They displayed their art with so much pride and confidence that it taught me to feel empowered with the work I achieve.
Are you involved in any cool projects outside of A4L that you want to share?
I love to spend my free time baking and doing nail art.