Speaker | Author | Educator
with over 25 years serving communities
I was born and raised in Queens, New York with a passion for education, leadership, and faith. For over 25 years, I’ve worked in traditionally underserved communities, serving as an educator, instructional coach, district and school administrator.
I currently serve as an Assistant Principal of Instruction in Oakland, where I support teachers, lead professional development, and work to cultivate the conditions where students feel seen, loved, and affirmed.
Beyond my formal role, I partner with schools and organizations through consulting, speaking, and creative work—helping ideas take shape and people stay connected to their “why.”
I’m also a poet and author, writing books that invite reflection, creativity, and faith-filled living. My wife Lily and I are raising our sons while navigating the joys and challenges of leadership, ministry, and family life.
Everything I do—whether coaching math teachers, designing PD, photographing school communities, or speaking from a stage—is rooted in the same belief: how we show up matters.
Hello, there! I’m Jeff.
What I do
I speak to educators, faith communities, and leadership teams about purpose, presence, identity, and impact—drawing from lived experience as an educator, leader, poet, and father.
Engagements include:
Educator keynotes and staff retreats
Church and men’s group speaking
Spoken word and reflective workshops
With over 25 years of experience working in and with schools, I create visuals that build morale, elevate identity, and infuse joy.
Creative services include:
School branding and campaign visuals
Professional development decks
T-shirts, stickers, and patches
Event and community photography
I support schools—especially middle school math teams—through instructional coaching, professional development, and systems work grounded in equity, clarity, and real classroom practice.
Focus areas include:
Middle school math instruction and planning
Coaching cycles and feedback
Professional development design and facilitation
Instructional leadership support
Authored Books
Poetry has the power to capture moments, emotions, and truths in ways that prose cannot. I wrote How to Write Poetry as a guide designed to help writers of all ages find their voice, develop their craft, and engage deeply with the art of poetry.
How to Write Poetry is a practical, student-centered resource that helps young writers develop voice, confidence, and critical thinking through poetry. Designed for personal and classroom use, the book offers clear strategies, guided exercises, and accessible prompts that support literacy instruction, social-emotional learning, and culturally responsive teaching. Ideal for ELA classes, advisory, electives, or enrichment programs, it empowers students of all skill levels to express themselves thoughtfully and creatively. Bulk purchases provide schools with a ready-to-use tool that elevates writing instruction while affirming student identity and voice.
I believe that fathers hold a sacred calling to lead their families with wisdom, strength, and grace. In this 31-day devotional I authored after having found out we were expecting our fifth son, you will embark on a journey to deepen your walk with God and reflect His character in your home.
Each day centers on a key theme—faith, work, worship, joy, and guiding your children—rooted in scripture from the Bible’s wisdom books. Through honest reflections, real-life stories, and practical insights, this devotional equips fathers to navigate challenges, balance ambition with contentment, and cultivate a Christ-centered legacy.
More than just a book, Recognizing His Presence is an interactive experience. Each entry includes space for prayer and reflection, along with haikus that capture the heart of each day’s theme. This devotional invites you into a rhythm of seeking God, growing in faith, and leading your family with purpose.
Start your journey today and embrace the joy of fatherhood, grounded in God’s wisdom and love.
Haiku has the power to distill moments, emotions, and truths into just seventeen syllables. I wrote Seventeen Syllables as both a celebration of family life and an invitation to slow down, notice, and give thanks.
Whether you’re new to poetry or simply looking for a meaningful practice of reflection, this book offers a gentle guide to seeing your own life through a poetic lens. Alongside dozens of original haiku written for my wife and our six children, you’ll find simple steps for crafting your own—helping you turn everyday experiences into moments of gratitude and prayer.
Seventeen Syllables is an invitation to pause, reflect, and capture the beauty of your story one poem at a time.
Testimonials
“Jeff is an incredible leader, educator, and dynamic thinker. I had the pleasure of learning alongside him as both a co-teacher and coach, and what sets Jeff apart is the precision and care he brings to his craft. Whether he’s teaching, coaching, or designing, he sees details others miss and uses them to create experiences that don’t just improve practice, but help people feel deeply connected to their work.”
— Nisha Vasavada, Chief Academic Officer“Jeff Vasquez is one of the most passionate and talented educators and instructional coaches I have encountered. Whether coaching teachers or teaching students, Jeff is thoughtful, patient, and deeply committed to excellence—pushing practice forward while ensuring people feel respected, heard, and supported. His ability to engage all learners, provide meaningful feedback, and ground instruction in equity and access had a lasting impact on both my growth and our school community.”
— Megan Carpenter, Teacher“Jeff is a delight. He brings a sincere passion and servant spirit to everything we've done together. He cares not only about success but the people he is serving.”
— Thomas Overmiller, Pastor“Jeff is an exceptional instructional coach whose work is deeply grounded in equity, clarity, and real classroom practice. I greatly valued his instructional materials, along with his intentional planning. Through engaging professional learning, ready-to-use resources, clear step-by-step guidance, and actionable feedback during coaching cycles, Jeff had a powerful impact on my instruction and helped me grow into a more confident educator.”
— Hong Zhang, Math Teacher“Jeff Vasquez is more than an exceptional leader — he is the rare kind who pairs precision with heart. His attention to detail is not about perfectionism; it is about care. His instructional leadership is not about compliance; it is about awakening possibility. I’ve had the privilege of learning alongside Jeff and working shoulder to shoulder with him. In every setting, he brings clarity to complexity and creativity to challenge. He has a gift for designing learning experiences that are rigorous, human, and alive — the kind that make people lean in instead of check out. Jeff doesn’t just manage systems; he elevates people. He blends strategic discipline with deep empathy, ensuring that those he serves feel seen, supported, and stretched toward their best. Anyone who has the opportunity to bring Jeff in front of the people who matter most to them will quickly understand what I’ve come to know: he leaves individuals and organizations better than he found them. You’ll be fortunate to work with him.”
— David Hardy, Certified Executive Coach“Jeff has an exceptional ability to turn vision into reality. His strengths in project management, photography, design, and execution consistently brought ideas to life with precision, creativity, and follow-through. If you need someone who can organize, produce, and deliver high-quality results, he is outstanding.”
—Ruben Alonzo, Education Leader and Former Principal
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