Embedded Files
Arabella Edler
Arabella Edler
I'm a fourth-year double majoring in Literature with a Creative Writing Concentration in Poetry and the History of Art and Visual Culture with a concentration in Curation, Heritages, and Museums. I'm affiliated with Stevenson College, and I teach the Stevenson Core classes, I work as a Writing Tutor and TA for Writing one and two courses at the university. I also work as a Resident Assistant in Kresge College at the Writer's House and am an undergraduate student mentor in the History of Art and Visual Culture department.
I am very passionate about poetry. My works have beenpublished in the 44th volume of the Chinquapin Literary Magazine on Campus. I've also presented my work at the Living Writer's Student Readings. Working with the Santa Cruz Poetry Project has helped me grow as a writer and instructor in the Santa Cruz community.
Santa Cruz Poetry Project
Santa Cruz Poetry Project
Mentor: Renee Winter
The Santa Cruz Poetry Project began as the legacy project of Ellen Bass while she was Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County. Since its inception, the program has facilitated workshops throughout the county and with your help will continue changing the lives of incarcerated men and women one word, one poem at a time. Co-founder Nancy Miller Gomez has been instrumental in keeping the program vital in the Santa Cruz County jail system and organizing fundraisers. Director Renee Winter keeps the day-to-day operations going, teaching classes and coordinating new volunteers. Co-director emeritus Deborah Culmer maintains the website and designs the anthologies, along with teaching weekly classes.
See more about the organization using the link!
https://www.poetryinthejails.org
How does this internship apply to your academic journey in the humanities?
How does this internship apply to your academic journey in the humanities?
My internship with the Santa Cruz Poetry Project directly applies to my academic journey in the humanities by providing a real-world application of the theoretical concepts I’ve studied in class. This Humanities Excel Internship has broadened my view of how poetry and the humanities can empower marginalized voices and promote healing. Working with the Santa Cruz Poetry Project has allowed me to practice teaching, which is something I'm passionate about. Through facilitating workshops and engaging with participants, I’m able to put my academic knowledge into action, particularly around the ways poetry can foster self-expression and provide a platform for underrepresented voices.
By working with people from diverse backgrounds, I’m also able to apply my studies in education and social change to create more inclusive and impactful learning environments. This internship has reinforced my commitment to use my major in the humanities as a tool for community building and social transformation, which is an essential part of my academic and professional goals.
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plans
Below are images of Lesson Plans I created to lead in classes as well as to experiment with different auhtors, themes, and styles.
In addition to teaching in the Jails, I conducted Publication Research that accept poems from IPs as well as uploading lesson plans for current instrucotrs to veiw while also typing poems for the upcoming Anthology in April.
Image from "The Power in Poetry" volume 14, 2023.
Publication Research
Publication Research
Some of my hybrid work inlcued research publications for our oraginzation to submit works to.
Image from "The Power in Poetry" volume 15, 2024.
Typing Poems for the Anthologies
Typing Poems for the Anthologies
My work included typing poems and uploading release forms for the April 2025 Anthology.
Reflections on working with the Santa Cruz Poetry Project
Reflections on working with the Santa Cruz Poetry Project
Poetry reading event held by the Santa Cruz Poetry Project at the Satori Arts Center.
What impact has this internship experience had on you?
This internship has impacted me by expanding my understanding of the practical application of my academic studies in the humanities. It has deepened my appreciation for teaching, poetry, and creative expression in building community.
Share your learning goals and describe how you made progress towards them.
My learning goals were Career & Self Development and Professionalism. This is my first in-person professional work experience, and I wanted to build a strong foundation in workplace professionalism, from communication to time management and collaboration. Overall, this internship has been an opportunity for both personal and professional growth, and I am proud of the progress I’ve made toward achieving these goals.
What advice would you offer a future EXCEL Fellow in this internship?
My advice to a future EXCEL Fellow would be to approach this internship with an open mind and a willingness to learn, both from the community you're working with and from the people you’re collaborating with. Stay passionate, stay open, and make sure to enjoy the process!
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