Jessica Zamora Sanchez (2020-2022)

Jessica was born in a small village in Mexico. Neither of her parents knew English nor had they gone to High School. However, they decided to immigrate to America so that their daughter could have a better education. Her family moved into the Lighthouse Community and participated in the after school enrichment programs. She graduated High School and is now pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Studies at California State University, Channel Islands. Jessica is passionate about her role as an educator; “Every child deserves that right to a great education and it’s my job as an adult, as an educator, and as a citizen to provide those things to them.” She wants to remain in Santa Barbara going forward as she believes her unique upbringing will allow her to identify and empathize with her students; “I’ve had wonderful teachers who have told me, ‘you can do this!’ but it’s not the same when they don’t know the reality of all that I’m facing.” Teachers have one of the most impactful jobs in young people’s lives and Jessica strives to make a huge impact on the underserved students of Santa Barbara. In 2021, she began a combined Masters in Education and California Teaching Credential program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is on track to finish on time and be teaching in the classroom in the fall of 2022! Click here to see Jessica’s full story!