Speakers

Coming Tuesday September 1, Erica Wright, and Vanessa Rushton, on “Meeting Students where they are, the
Impact of Garfield High School.”

Erika Wright is an experienced school counselor and educational leader with nearly 20 years of service in the San Diego Unified School District. She currently serves as the Head Counselor at Garfield High School, an alternative school setting, where she supports students through personalized academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary planning. Erika has worked across middle and high school settings, providing counseling, crisis intervention, academic guidance, and family and community collaboration to support student success. She holds a master’s degree in educational counseling and is passionate about creating equitable, supportive school environments where all students can thrive.

Vanessa Rushton is a dedicated high school counselor at Garfield High School with seven years of experience supporting students in their academic, social-emotional, and post- secondary growth. Prior to becoming a counselor, she worked as an elementary school teacher, which strengthened her passion for helping students succeed at every stage of their educational journey. Born and raised in Oceanside, Vanessa now lives in San Diego with her husband and son. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the beach, cooking, biking, and being with family and friends.