Vanessa Villanueva

Vanessa's passion for teaching can be traced back to 1999, when she used to help her older sister, who is an educator, prepare her class materials. She grew up in Lima, Peru, where she decided to become a teacher because of her love for kids, her desire to support their growth, and her commitment to helping them discover new skills and improve their abilities.

In 2007, she had the opportunity to work as an early childhood educator at a British school for 10 years in the English immersion program. This experience prepared her for recruitment and relocation to the U.S. with her husband and three kids, where she started the first grade dual language program at North Buncombe Elementary School. She later moved to third grade, where she worked for a total of 5 years. She eagerly took on the additional responsibility of serving as a mentor to third-grade dual language teachers in Buncombe County Schools.

Vanessa is a graduate of Unifé University in Lima, Peru, where she majored in special education in 2003. Her family is the most important thing in her life. She enjoys spending time with them and exploring new places. In her free time, she likes to hike, go to the gym, dance Zumba, and hang out with friends. Vanessa has greatly enjoyed teaching in Asheville, and she is excited to start a new chapter of her life at FernLeaf.