Vanessa E. Vega, former Director of Clinical Experiences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Education and Visiting Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida – Tampa, holds a B.A. from Purdue University, an M.Ed. from Rutgers University, and an Ed.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research focuses on Latina teachers and the use of social justice-oriented young adult literature to explore counter-narratives and lived experiences. She is committed to exploring experiential knowledge by stretching notions of "traditional" academic writing and research by way of creative nonfiction and imaginative methodologies. Her work often examines her own lived experiences of navigating murky spaces and swimming contra la corriente.

• Introduction – Latina Teachers: Trenzas and Counter-Narratives – Laying the Foundation: Background Information on the Original Study – Cuentos Y Testimonios – Cultivating the Experiences of Latina Teachers in the Deep South – Y Ahora Que? What Can We Learn From Latina Teachers? – References – Appendix A. Text Covers and Summaries of Books Used in Original Study – Appendix B. Pre/Post-questionnaire Questions from Original Study – Appendix C. Introductory, Second, and Third Interview Questions from Original Study – Appendix D. Book Plática Questions from Original Study – Appendix E. Altered Book Prompts from the Original Study – Glossary.