Vanessa has been a leader and change maker from a young age. As a high school student, Vanessa served on the Youth Ministry Council of the Coastal Plains Area of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). During her time on the council, Vanessa planned two weekend youth events including a service-focused rally for high school youth from an area stretching from Beaumont and Orange in the East, the
Greater Houston Area, Bay City in the West, and College Station and Huntsville in the North. Prior to serving on the Youth Ministry Council, Vanessa thought she wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer. Her time working with youth led to a desire to serve others through the church. Vanessa came to Tarrant County in 1998 to attend TCU and studied religion and philosophy. During that time, she served as director of youth ministry at WestWind Church in Keller, TX. Her work with the youth in monthly service projects led her to pursue a Master’s of Science in Social Work with a focus in non-profit management. Vanessa worked with Northside Inter-Church Agency, Lena Pope Home, the Institute for Learning Abilities, and spent five years in charitable management for a local business. Her work with foundations and PACs provided an opportunity for Vanessa to meet many local and state public servants and inspired her to have a more direct impact in her community. Vanessa was appointed to the Benbrook Parks and Recreation Board in 2007 and later the Planning and Zoning Commission. She also actively worked with the Obama Campaign registering voters, canvassing, phone banking and training volunteers, often bringing her daughter Sophia along in a baby carrier. Her service with the Obama Campaign made her feel at home in a way that she hadn’t while in the private sector and motivated her to find a new way to serve people in her community. In 2009, Vanessa started teaching science in Fort Worth ISD, first at Rosemont Middle School and later at Benbrook-Middle-High School where she teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grade science and leads as the Science Department Chair. As a teacher, Vanessa has been recognized as a leader in her field. She has written curriculum for Fort Worth ISD and has led trainings for teachers within the district. In addition, she has presented workshops for the Science Teachers Association of Texas annual conference and for the T-MATE alternative certification program of Tarleton State University. Vanessa was recognized as the 2014-2015 Teaching Chair of Excellence for Secondary Science in Fort Worth ISD and has served as the Science Department Chair at Benbrook Middle-High School for the last four years. Vanessa has also played an active role in her school by serving on the PTA, the Site Based Decision Making Committee, the District Employee Relations Council, the Gold Seal Program of Choice Exploratory Committee, and she has also served as sponsor of the student-led LGBTQ+ group. Vanessa is also an active member of her congregation, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Worth. She is currently a Sunday School teacher and is on the Christian Education Committee. In the past, she served on the Pastoral Relations Council and as the Chair of the Christian Service Committee where she had an active role in planning the church’s annual participation in the Fort Worth Pride Parade. Her faith is a driving force in all of her actions as she seeks to embody the commandment to love her neighbors as herself. Now Vanessa has been motivated to serve her community in a new way by running for U.S. Congressional District 12. The foundation of her entire campaign and position on issues is to give every person in our great nation equal access and opportunity to pursue liberty, health, and happiness by tearing down the barriers to the freedom that allows individuals to be their best selves and live their lives to the fullest. Note: Most posts are my own, but when I'm teaching, takes care of the posting.
