Carla Debbie Alleyne

Carla Debbie Alleyne

Professional Overview

Carla Alleyne is an educator, filmmaker, and creative leader with over 20 years of experience spanning classroom instruction, educational leadership, curriculum design, and the entertainment industry. Her work sits at the intersection of arts and education, with a proven track record of building innovative programs that empower students through storytelling, language, and creative expression.

In addition to her work in education, Carla has led content creation initiatives that have generated over 1 billion views, demonstrating her ability to connect with global audiences through compelling, purpose-driven media. Her expertise bridges both academic and creative industries, bringing real-world media production into the classroom and educational spaces.

Carla possesses extensive experience integrating the creative arts into English as a Second Language (ESL), English literature, and writing instruction. Her approach incorporates playwriting, documentary and narrative storytelling, video production, and video journaling, alongside media arts, theater, film, and television production—creating dynamic, multidisciplinary learning environments.

She has successfully managed and directed ESL and arts-based summer programs, designing curricula and leading teams that support diverse learners. Carla is skilled in training, mentoring, and supervising adults, youth, and children in creative development, with a focus on voice, identity, and self-expression.

Her experience also includes virtual instruction and the development of creative workshops and programs, allowing her to extend her impact across both in-person and digital learning environments.

About

teaching Philosophy

Because I am a product of successful arts programs within the New York City Public Schools system, I believe that integrating the arts into general education, special education, and ENL curricula is a powerful way to develop students’ speaking skills, self-expression, self-awareness, and sense of self-determination. Organizations such as the Young Playwrights Festival, the CityKids Foundation, and Theatre Rehabilitation for Youth played a pivotal role in shaping me into the educator I am today.

Awards

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FROM TRINIDAD TO OFF-BROADWAY

Carla Alleyne received her B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Film and Television and Dramatic Writing from New York University. Born in Trinidad, West Indies, and raised on Army bases across the United States, she began writing plays at the age of 13.

Throughout high school, her work was staged and workshopped by organizations including The Writers Theatre, the CityKids Foundation, and Theatre Rehabilitation for Youth. At just 16, her play Hey, Little Walter won the National Young Playwrights Festival and received a full Off-Broadway production at Playwrights Horizons. The play was later published by Dell Books in Hey, Little Walter and Other Prize-Winning Plays.

Carla has served for over a decade on the Board of Directors for the Young Playwrights Festival, alongside distinguished artists such as Alfred Uhry, David Henry Hwang, Stephen Sondheim, and George C. Wolfe.

Today, Carla is an educator, filmmaker, and founder whose work bridges the worlds of storytelling and education. With over 20 years of experience and content reaching more than 1 billion viewers globally, she continues to create platforms that empower the next generation of artists and thinkers through the transformative power of the arts.

Projects

New York State Certified Educator

Carla Alleyne is a New York State certified educator with a strong foundation in arts-integrated instruction. She has taught playwriting and drama to public middle school students in the Bronx and Brooklyn, as well as internationally, bringing a global perspective to her teaching practice.

Her mentorship has consistently guided students to recognition in the Young Playwrights Competition, reflecting her commitment to developing student voice, confidence, and creative expression.

Carla has directed theatrical productions including Hey, Little Walter and student-written works such as Differences by Cindy Vo at Frank D. Whalen Creative Arts Academy for Media Studies.

Through her work, she empowers students to see themselves as writers, performers, and creators—using the arts as a pathway to identity, literacy, and self-determination.

Certifications

EDUCATION

PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
PRINCETON, NJ

Master of Divinity: Theology

ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY

TULSA, OKLAHOMA

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Coursework Completed

MERCY COLLEGE

BRONX, NY

Master of Science: Education

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

NEW YORK, NY

Master of Fine Arts: Dramatic Writing

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

NEW YORK, NY

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Film and Television and Dramatic Writing

CERTIFICATIONS

• NYS Certified Teacher of English Language Arts

• First aid and CPR certified

ESL SUMMER CAMP Flash Mobs Produced and directed by Carla Debbie Alleyne

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, MANHATTAN COLLEGE

Instructor of American Culture through Film
Taught ESL Students in preparation to be matriculated through Manhattan College.

Taught two undergraduate classes per semester
Integrated technology into classroom instruction for a well-rounded and modern approach.
Developed and implemented lesson plans that covered all required topics.
Distributed course syllabus and answered student questions regarding standards, material, grading, and progression.
Selected appropriate materials to support student learning needs.
Maintained office hours to help students with questions and educational support.
Implemented ESL reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
Consistently received positive teacher evaluations from students.

ENL/ESL TEACHER

Worked with over 34 ENL students, grades 5-8, pushing into the classrooms and pulling students out to either small group or one on one instruction.
Worked daily with teacher teams to modify and differentiate each of my student's instruction based on their language levels.
Worked with newcomers who flourished academically based on personalized one-on-one instruction.
Administered NYSESLAT exam graded tests and assignments to evaluate student progress.
Attended 2018 NYSESLAT Scoring and Administration Training
Emphasized critical thinking through small group activities.
Developed and integrated arts and dramatic activities into ESL

curriculum to diversify instruction.
Created new lesson plans based on course objectives.

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. BRONX, NY TEACHER

FRANK D.WHALEN MIDDLE SCHOOL: M.S.135 BRONX, NY
Teacher of English Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Drama,

Video Production an English as a Second Language
Teaches 6th to 8th-grade classes, of approximately 30 students per

class English, Social Studies, Math, ESL, and Drama.
Mentored two students who went on to become winners of the 2003 and 2004 Young Playwrights Competition.
Director of Spring theatrical Productions.
Created and taught engaging ELA, and ESL lessons and activities.
Taught after-school for Sports and Arts and collaborated with a team of faculty to develop an after-school tutorial program for

students in need of extra help and activities.
Met regularly with parents and guardians to discuss children's progress.
Modified the general education curriculum for special-needs students based on a variety of instructional techniques and

technologies.
Fostered team collaboration between students through group projects.
Increased students' English test scores by 14% through private tutoring and special attention.
Developed and taught lessons on relevant children's books, poems, movies, and themes to promote student interest.

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