Vanessa Lugo is a Teach for America alumna who currently teaches Early Childhood Education at Cole Arts and Science Academy in Denver Public Schools. She was recently named team leader of the ECE, K and First grade team and will begin facilitating professional development for teachers around culturally responsive practices. She has spent the last two summers working as a staff member for Teach for America at their summer institute in Phoenix, supporting new teachers as well as working to develop the role of the Diversity and Inclusiveness facilitator.