Life & Work with Aline Louise of Ann Arbor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aline Louise

Hi Aline, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I spent part of my childhood in the countryside of Rio de Janeiro, in a city called Maricá. My parents would always encourage me to consume, appreciate and produce art. Even when I scrabbled the wall with whatever pen I could find, they wouldn’t stop me. They knew I had something to say way before I did. And because I was a huge fan of fairy tales and fantasy books, I felt the need to see myself in the stories, but soon enough I realized that most characters did not look or live like me at all. I grew up yearning for a sense of belonging.

When I moved to the capital, I discovered new rhythms and languages. That is when I became a Beyoncé fan. And that is an important part of my story because she was one of the first figures of representation in my life and her music was my biggest motivation to learn English. When we got our first computer at home, I would spend hours reading her lyrics, singing over and over again, trying to get the words and pronunciation right. And I would risk writing them as well.

I dreamed of being a writer so I could write stories that, as little Aline used to say, “would change the world”. So, it was my passion for Literature and English that made me pursue my undergraduate degree in Language Arts and years later I found out that Education would be the guiding principle of it all. As an Educator, I found what Emily Esfahani Smith calls the four principles of a meaningful life: belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence.

After years of immersing myself in English learning and teaching, arriving in Ann Arbor as a partner to a student at the University of Michigan feels like a culmination of my journey. My passion for storytelling and education, fueled by my love for English, has led me to this vibrant community. Here, as an engaged partner, I am not only continuing to grow personally but also discovering a new sense of belonging.

This moment feels like the perfect blend of my past experiences and future goals, where I can not only contribute but also grow in a community that values diversity, innovation, and collective progress. As I immerse myself in the university’s dynamic environment, I am ready to take a bold step by applying for a Dual-Degree in Education and Business at the U of M. I am eager to bring my unique perspective and experiences into this next chapter and look forward to building meaningful connections while expanding my impact in education and beyond.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Moving to a big city marked a significant shift in my life. When my parents got divorced I didn’t know which place to call home. I had to navigate a new school while adapting to my family’s new dynamic. As a biracial teenager, I faced additional challenges. It took me years to understand that the episodes I suffered at school were not just bullying, it was racism. Those experiences left me feeling as though I would never truly belong, no matter how hard I tried. For most of my teenage years, I chemically straightened my hair and struggled with self-acceptance, even disliking my own skin.

Learning English almost became a casualty of my struggle for belonging. The language felt distant, disconnected from people like me. I searched for reflections of myself in textbooks and classrooms but never found them—a reality that many people of color in Brazil still face today. Despite this, I refused to give up and developed my fluency on my own terms. I realized that if there was no place for me, I would build it.

By the time I graduated from high school, I had begun addressing my mental health through therapy and started the process of healing. During my undergraduate years, I made it my mission to change the narrative, beginning with myself. I finally let my hair be its most natural, authentic form and I had never felt so free.

Although I was passionate about English, I never saw myself as a teacher. The thought of standing in front of a classroom terrified me, and I doubted I would ever have enough knowledge to teach anyone. But the confidence I was gaining from taking care of my mental health and embracing my natural hair made me believe I could do anything. So, when the opportunity arose, I accepted the challenge. It was only then that I realized the essence of teaching: it is a continuous process of learning.

Now, I find myself in a foreign country for the first time. It can be daunting, but my life experiences have equipped me to navigate this new chapter with resilience. I am fortunate to be in a city like Ann Arbor, where people are welcoming and resourceful, and where I have found a community that helps ease the challenges of being a Latina in such a vast country. Reflecting on my journey, I’m especially grateful that I never gave up on English, because without it, I wouldn’t be fully experiencing this opportunity—or even participating in this interview!

I do miss home, of course, but I’ve learned to carry home within me. As long as I remember that, I know I’ll be okay.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been working with education for 6 years, and my focus has been on designing learning experiences that promote diversity and inclusion, especially for underrepresented groups. I work as a Learning Specialist, creating and evaluating educational content that brings cultural relevance into the classroom, ensuring that students see themselves reflected in what they are learning.

One of my proudest achievements is my work with Instituto G.U.E.T.T.O, where I designed language learning curricula tailored for Black, Brown, and Indigenous students, aiming to give them the tools to excel academically and professionally. I volunteer with their Educational arm, Escola da Ponte Para Pretxs, a project that allows me to combine my passion for education with my commitment to racial literacy. Through these experiences, I have learned that education is a powerful tool for social change, and I am dedicated to using my skills to create equal opportunities for all.

As I look ahead, my goal is to continue expanding access to quality education, particularly for marginalized communities. I believe in the transformative power of learning, not just as a way to gain knowledge, but as a means to achieve social mobility and personal empowerment. Education has given me a sense of purpose and belonging, and I hope to pass that on to others through the work I do every day.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love stories with strong female protagonists. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Passing by Nella Larsen and The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley are some of my favorites. I read a lot of Black female writers, too. Ruth Guimarães was one of the first Black female writers in Brazil and she wrote a beautiful novel called Água Funda, about the rural life between São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais, reviving traditions and legends from Brazilian folklore. My final project at college was about her. Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis and Olhos D’Água by Conceição Evaristo are very good reads, too. Brazilian Literature is very rich and there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinelouise/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interrupted/
• Other: https://www.guetto.org/