Jessica graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in elementary education and received her Masters from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has taught in elementary schools for thirteen years, including schools in Los Angeles, and New York City. In the her last three years in DC, she was rated "Highly Effective" based on instructional observations and student academic growth. Jessica also taught and volunteered for many years in the Dominican Republic and speaks Spanish. Jessica has taught K-5th grade (all elementary subjects), with an emphasis on literacy instruction. Most recently, Jessica was a literacy coach for teachers in grades K-5 at a NYC public school in Harlem.