Vanessa has been an educator for eighteen years and earned her BA in English from the University of Washington, and her teaching certificate from Western Washington University. She began her career teaching 4th grade in the Issaquah School District where she had the opportunity to open a new school, Cascade Ridge Elementary. Vanessa is in her ninth year at Audubon Elementary, and currently teaches 5th grade. Prior to that she taught 6th and 3rd grades. Vanessa serves as her building’s Writing Facilitator, works on the Response to Intervention Team and she’s been a 5th grade PLC Facilitator for the LW Learning Community. Vanessa is passionate about inspiring and motivating young minds to think deeply about the world around them. She believes in creating a safe, nurturing environment where kids are comfortable taking risks and learn by doing.

Vanessa shared, “I am thrilled to be part of the Timberline community and I look forward to fostering a true love of literacy with students. This is a unique chance to build a culture that embraces the social emotional learning as well as rigorous academics, and to create a meaningful experience for all.”