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As colleagues—science teacher and art teacher—working together for 21 years, Ali and I continuously collaborated on projects. For example, she supported my AIDS/HIV health curriculum unit by creating a series of mixed media handmade quilts with her art students for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Her work was passionate, intelligent, and inspiring, culminating in six artistic and beautifully constructed quilts that were presented at the New York State World AIDS Day event and registered to the permanent collection of the National AIDS Memorial in Washington, DC. The art community needs more educators like Ali Roland to empower children to make a difference. Ali teaches children that they are art activists and change-makers while developing skills in art.

–Diane Duffus, former colleague