Vanessa Garrido

My career has been dedicated to education and educational access. After graduating from Reed College, I joined the admissions team at my alma mater. I then became Director of Multicultural Recruitment at Reed, reading applications from students of color from every state in the U.S., and organizing and hosting visit programs for our prospective students of color. After working in admissions, I decided to pursue a career in teaching. I completed the New York City Teaching Fellows program and became a high school English and special education teacher in the Bronx, and, later, in Brooklyn. In those roles, I supported the college counseling offices at each school, working with students from a variety of different backgrounds and learning abilities as they navigated the college admissions process. I then taught at an alternative school in Walla Walla, WA, where I helped students meet their high school graduation requirements and explore their educational futures. I have also worked as an independent tutor and college counselor, helping students carve out their unique educational paths to college or vocational programs. I have experience as a creative writer and editor, and I love working with students on their college essays.