Jazzmin Cox-Caceres ‘19

Since 1976, National Black History Month has had an endorsed theme as a part of the celebration. For 2024, the theme is "African Americans and the Arts," spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, dance, theater, and cultural movements. This month’s spotlight features a small group of Black GDS Alumni who have used their artistic talents and skills to be agents of change to create, uplift, and inspire.

Introducing… Jazzmin Cox-Caceres ‘19

Jazzmin is a visual artist and GDS 8th Grade history teacher.

Jazzmin has loved painting for as long as she can remember. “It feels like a piece of me, and is the best method I have to express the way I see the world,” she said.

“I think GDS helped me build leadership qualities very early on. From athletics to diversity conferences to hiring committees, I felt like I was supported in many of my endeavors that weren’t tied to a single subject,” said Jazzmin, “This didn’t spell out ‘teacher’ at first, but in college, I found so much joy in teaching. I realized that the ‘lifelong learner’ part of our mission could be fulfilled by pursuing a teaching career.”

Jazzmin said the strong arts program at GDS fostered her development as an artist and entrepreneur, and shaped her approach to teaching. She credits her mom, Crissy Cáceres (former GDS Assistant Head of School for Equity & Diversity), as her biggest inspiration as an educator. 

“She carries herself with so much poise, and the way she values building equity and community has informed the way I approach my own classroom,” said Jazzmin.

She also credits Kamaya Thompson, her 9th and 10th grade English teacher and advisor at GDS for helping her embrace the important themes of the texts her classes read. 

“She inspires me to design history lessons that put the people at the forefront, and I hope my students feel that their identities and values are being supported through that approach,” said Jazzmin, “As an artist, Michelle Cobb never questioned my ambition or passion for painting, and always took me seriously as an artist. Without her, I don’t know that I would have pursued art as vigorously in college and beyond. Thank you to these incredible educators, and to so many other people who touched my life at GDS!”