Sandy Waggoner earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from Stanford University, followed by a Master’s in Education through the Stanford Teacher Education Program. For over a decade, she has taught high school in California’s Central Valley, where she is deeply committed to empowering students through literacy and the understanding that words hold transformative power in today’s society. In the past five years, she has broadened her teaching experience by instructing all grade levels of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). Sandy is passionate about guiding students toward higher education and helping them explore new opportunities for their futures.

Sandy’s dedication to education is deeply rooted in her family’s history. Her father served in the CIA’s Secret Army during the Vietnam War, and after the U.S. withdrawal, her family fled from Laos to refugee camps in Thailand in search of safety. In the 1970s, her parents immigrated to the United States, carrying with them a steadfast belief that education is the key to success. Sandy has embraced that belief throughout her life, honoring her parents’ sacrifices through her commitment to learning and teaching.