Brenda Villa is a first-generation graduate student who has earned her Masters of Education, as well as a Multiple Subject credential. She earned her B.A. in Education with a minor in Business Management Honors from CSU Channel Islands in 2022. Brenda worked in healthcare before returning to school to pursue a career in teaching. Her love for learning and children called her to the teaching profession. She strives to teach her students the value of cultural diversity and educational equality. Brenda aspires to serve as an inspiration and a role model for her future students. Growing up in a heavily Latinx populated city of Oxnard, she hopes to give back to her community, and aspires to empower students to persevere despite any obstacles in their educational endeavors. She is determined to impact the minds of her co-learners positively.

GGSE: What one thing about teaching do you wish you could share with more people?
Brenda Villa: SO often, you find that the students you're trying to INSPIRE are the ones that end up inspiring you!

GGSE: Tell us about one of your fondest GGSE memories.
Villa: One of my fondest GGSE memories was Fellowship Breakfast. Many inspiring educators were present, which made me feel thankful to have been accepted into the greatest Teacher Education Program (TEP)!

GGSE: What's next for you?
Villa: Time to enjoy my summers, holidays, and Spring Breaks with my three children!

GGSE: Are there people at the Gevirtz School you would like to thank?
Villa: I want to thank Michelle Meyer for choosing me as a candidate for the MST cohort 22-23. She believed in me and saw my commitment to this journey as an educator when she interviewed me in March 2022. She has forever changed my life!

I'm thankful to all of the instructors and staff in GGSE who make this program an incredible experience!

Brenda Villa