A former Reading School District teacher has announced that she is running for City Council.
Vanessa Campos, 36, is seeking the District 1 seat.
Campos will enter the May primary on the Democratic ticket.
An educator for more than 13 years, Campos holds a Master of Education degree.
“My educational and professional qualifications are perfectly suited for this diligent role,” she said.
Campos said her experience as a teacher with the families in the community helped her identify their needs and prompted her to step up.
“With inner-city, or urban, communities in general, the growing population is always a concern,” Campos said.
Elected officials and local government must work to keep up with the demands of a growing population, she said.
City, school district and community leaders must work together collaboratively to meet those needs, she said, and boost the quality of life for city residents.
Campos also said it is important for city officials and administrators to support and encourage existing and new business in the city.
Campos said she is passionate about education and was the first reading specialist at one of the city’s middle schools.
As a reading department head, she mentored student interns and colleagues in intervention strategies and led her department in piloting a new program helping Reading’s middle schools achieve academic growth and meet district goals, Campos said.
Among the strengths she would bring to City Council, Campos said, are her ability to use research-based data to differentiate needs and her expertise at collaborating with peers and policymakers.
“These competencies are crucial for adopting policies and regulations in city government,” she said.
Campos said her professionalism, communication and problem-solving skills and ability to interact as a team member are among the assets that make her a suitable candidate.
“I look forward to representing my city in this position with the leadership and qualifications required of elected officials,” she said.
Meet the candidate
Candidate: Vanessa Campos, 36, Reading
Position sought: Reading City Council District 1 representative
Background: Campos is a former Reading School District teacher and has been an educator for 13 years. She holds a Master of Education degree.
Term: Two years to complete the remaining term vacated when Brianna Tyson resigned in April.
Compensation: City Council members will be paid an annual salary of $6,250, beginning in January 2024.
Source: Berkshire mont