Ms.Vanessa teaches both Art and GRADS class, and co-teaches Murals with Ms. Margarita Paz-Pedro. Her Art class is not an "easy A", it is a place where students learn literacy and creativity through art. The Business class is exploring the entrepreneurial mindset and learning skills that will help them outside the school setting. Ms. Vanessa's hope is that students will begin to see the world for all its possibilities and that everything they learn will help them in every aspect of their life.
Ms.Vanessa went the University of New Mexico, where she received her BFA in Studio Art: Painting. She has worked on 19 Ceramic Tile Murals around the city and is a co-founder and a Lead Artist of an arts organization called ALMA (Apprenticeships for Leaders in Mosaic Arts). She was born, raised, lives and still works in the South Valley of Albuquerque. In addition to teaching at La Academia de Esperanza, she was the Art Director for the South Valley Dia de los Muertos Marigold Parade for 4 years. A driving force in her life has always been a need to give back and improve her community, she believes that art is the perfect vehicle for teaching, uniting and healing