Jess Barco

Jess Barco was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and immigrated at the age of 4 to Charlotte, North Carolina. Her journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Today, she stands as a proud high school history teacher at Summit Atlas in Seattle, WA, while simultaneously navigating her academic journey at the University of Washington, where she's completing her master's in communications in digital media. Jess's professional journey is rich with dedication and passion, especially in history and education. Her personal experiences growing up in an environment that felt less than accepting of her identity as an immigrant and person of color have fueled her commitment to fostering educational spaces where every student is acknowledged and supported. Her mission is clear: to ensure that all students feel seen, value where they come from, and cultivate readiness for their desired next steps. She values human-centered thinking, creativity, and authenticity when working with her students. She is committed to increasing accessibility and personalized education in order to uplift students in and out of the classroom. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have in shaping the future of education. With her heart firmly centered on her students and her eyes set on the horizon of innovation, Jess is not just teaching history;she's making it.