By: Molly Cunningham
With a love for art and a passion for creativity, Mrs. Gentile, a fourth-grade teacher at our North Intermediate School, is stepping into a new role as the literary magazine club’s advisor. With plans to introduce seasonal issues and welcome a variety of student-created work, Gentile hopes to give students a space to explore their creativity and collaborate with others.
Gentile has worked in the Wallenpaupack Area School District for 17 years, spending the last 12 as a fourth-grade teacher. However, her experience with the arts extends beyond the classroom. She originally attended college to study advertising art and photography and has always had a passion for creativity. Over the years, she earned recognition for her artwork in New York exhibits and worked as a wedding photographer for several years.
Now, as the literary magazine’s new advisor, Gentile hopes to bring a fresh approach to the club. Rather than focusing solely on traditional writing, she encourages students to contribute a variety of creative pieces, including photography, artwork, poetry, haiku and micro-essays. She hopes to connect these pieces with the changing seasons, creating issues that showcase the different talents and perspectives of Wallenpaupack students.
“I would love for any student to come show me anything creative that they would love to do and I will take a look at it,” Gentile said.
The club is open to students of all experience levels, whether they already enjoy writing and art or are interested in trying something new. Gentile hopes to create a welcoming environment where students can share ideas, learn from one another, and discover creative interests they may not have explored before. Students who are hesitant to share their work can also choose to remain anonymous.
For now, Gentile plans to publish students’ work digitally, with hopes of eventually expanding opportunities for students to showcase their creations in exhibits and other settings. The club plans to meet after school twice a month, giving members time to develop their ideas and collaborate on upcoming issues.
“I really hope that students can enjoy a creative side that they have or one that they have no idea that they have,” Gentile said. “When we all work together, we can create beautiful things inside and out.”
Students interested in joining the literary magazine club or learning more about upcoming opportunities can contact Mrs. Gentile at [email protected]. No previous writing or artistic experience is required.
