Juan Vásquez Varela
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Equity-driven educational leader with a Master’s in Education and over 10 years of experience designing and leading transformative learning experiences for K–12 students, educators, and school systems. Proven track record of project management, cross-functional collaboration, and professional learning facilitation. Skilled in curriculum design, community-building, and program development grounded in data and inclusive practices. Bilingual and adept in digital learning tools, with a deep commitment to empowering historically marginalized communities.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Student Impact
Think Together, Inc
11.2022 - Current
- Lead a team of academic content managers to design K–12 curriculum and training tools across multiple subjects, impacting over 100,000 students across California.
- Develop and lead partnerships with schools and nonprofits to drive alignment between school-day priorities and out-of-school learning experiences.
- Manage operations at the Shalimar Community Center, transforming it into a vibrant learning hub for piloting innovative learning models, and hosting community events.
- Developed and led workshops for internal staff, emphasizing equity, engagement, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
- Design and integrate AVID-aligned content and strategies across regular and summer programming, ensuring instructional consistency and college- and career-readiness alignment.
Education Consultant
Engaged Spaces
06.2022 - Current
- Facilitate strategic advising sessions for school leaders and DEIB councils to implement measurable, equity-focused practices aligned with organizational equity action plans.
- Design and lead multi-site virtual and in-person convenings for DEIB Campus Councils and Regional Support Office leaders, fostering knowledge exchange, and alignment on equity-centered goals.
- Provide resources and tools to support adaptive and technical shifts toward equitable systems change across the organization.
- Support the execution and completion of goals outlined in the Equity Action Plan, resulting in increased DEIB capacity across campuses and demonstrated progress toward long-term equity benchmarks.
Social Studies Teacher
District of Columbia International School
08.2020 - 08.2022
- Led department-wide redesign of a multilingual social studies curriculum, integrating student-centered design and equity-focused practices for over 800 students.
- Coordinated vertical team planning and facilitated PD on assessment design, data reflection, and culturally responsive practices.
- Analyzed student data to drive curriculum iteration and increase performance across assessments.
Lead Teacher
Inspired Teaching Demonstration School
08.2018 - 07.2020
- Designed and implemented vertically aligned and inquiry-based curricula for Social Studies, Spanish, and elective courses for grades 1st through 8th, impacting over 200 students.
- Led advisory programming for middle school students and contributed to the school’s culturally responsive pedagogical model.
- Facilitated field experiences and experiential learning opportunities connected to social justice and community exploration.
Social Studies Teacher
Alpha, Jose Hernandez Middle School
01.2017 - 06.2018
- Created rigorous and engaging curriculum, lesson plans, and unit assessments aligned with Common Core Standards that served 60 6th grade students.
- Collaborated with the science, math, and English Language Arts teachers to align learning experiences and create subject overlap opportunities.
Poetry and Expression Teacher
Colegio Bolivar
09.2012 - 08.2016
- Developed and delivered poetry and expression lessons and workshops for over 300 students spread across elementary, middle school, and high school.
- Coordinated and executed multiple expression events such as Open Mics and Poetry Nights on the school campus and other venues every month.
- Founded and directed the high school poetry club, Wordaholics.
Education
Master of Education -
Trinity Washington University
01.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali
Cali, Colombia01.2017
Skills
- Project management (Asana, Google Suite, Microsoft Suite)
- Cross-functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- Learning Community Facilitation & Convening Design
- Culturally responsive curriculum development
- Data-Driven Instruction & Program Evaluation
- Digital Learning Tools Integration
- Community Partnership & Outreach
- Bilingual: English and Spanish
Certification
- Speaker | BOOST National Conference | 2023-05
- Speaker, AVID National Conference | 2023-11
- EmpowerEd Fellowship, EmpowerEd | 2021-08
- Responsive Classroom Certificate | 2019-08
- Bachilleres X Colombia, EcoPetrol - Colombia | 2009-08
Accomplishments
- Floasis Resident Poet | 2025
- AVID National Conference Speaker | 2023
- BOOST National Conference Speaker | 2023
- EmpowerEd Equity Fellowship | 2021
- Responsive Classroom Certificate | 2019
- Bachilleres X Colombia – EcoPetrol Scholar | 2009
Timeline
Director of Student Impact
Think Together, Inc
11.2022 - Current
Education Consultant
Engaged Spaces
06.2022 - Current
Social Studies Teacher
District of Columbia International School
08.2020 - 08.2022
Lead Teacher
Inspired Teaching Demonstration School
08.2018 - 07.2020
Social Studies Teacher
Alpha, Jose Hernandez Middle School
01.2017 - 06.2018
Poetry and Expression Teacher
Colegio Bolivar
09.2012 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali
Master of Education -
Trinity Washington University
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