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Vanessa Casillas Prior to receiving her education, Vanessa Casillas wanted to make a difference and as a result she chose education. She is the first and only one in her family to receive a university degree. As she faced the challenge of coming from a low-income family with limited resources, Vanessa admired one of her professors for being very involved with the students. After graduating from Carl Hayden High School and achieving a bachelor’s degree in speech communication education at Northern Arizona University, Ms. Casillas decided to return to the community she came from to give back. She was familiar with their challenges since she had faced them herself. Despite the obstacles, she was determined to make a difference and pursue her ambition of teaching. She is a great motivation and inspiration to her students at Carl Hayden. Ms. Casillas’s leadership and drive has been demonstrated by taking over the student government in 2003 as well as teaching English. In 2007, she became the English Department Chairperson. Not only is she an inspirational educator, but she is also deeply concerned for the community. Being part of the student government has allowed her to accomplish community projects along with her students which include: neighborhood cleanup, painting, feeding the homeless, fundraisers and food drives. Her love and commitment to her students is not just in giving of her own time but also in giving of her own finances to families in need. Today, Ms. Casillas is passionately
pursing her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Ms.
Casillas’s
affection and commitment for education has made her an exemplary role
model for Hispanic youth and has extended to the entire community around
her. |