Vanessa W. Snyder
Website: http://blackdoorventures.com
Profile: Vanessa Williams Snyder, an award-winning educator and author, spent nearly 15 years in journalism before launching a second career. Since leaving Gannett News Service, where she was an editor and writer in the Features department, she has blossomed as a teacher while still finding time to write.Her first novel, “The Second First Lady,” was released near the end of 2010. It’s the story of Clairmont Jenkins, a recently-widowed, 40-year-old pastor who must learn how to date again and be a single parent, while figuring out what God wants him to do for the congregation and community. Of course women are lining up because he’s such a good catch, while his 14-year-old son shuts down on him. It’s the first book in a three-part series that centers around Clairmont’s family.In addition to writing about health, marriage, music and other topics for GNS, Vanessa has written numerous freelance articles for several magazines — including Emerge, BET Weekend, Gospel Today and Excellence. She also wrote youth curriculum for many years for two Sunday School publishing companies. Along with her husband, Deron, she’s the co-author of “50 Ways to Put Christ in Your Marriage: And Live Happily Every Day,” in addition to “50 Ways to Put Christ Back in Christmas: And Keep the Spirit Alive All Year.” Vanessa and Deron are co-owners of BlackDoor Ventures, Inc., which specializes in high-quality writing, editing and communication services, including publishing, public/media relations and broadcasting. A native Washingtonian, Vanessa is a National Board-certified teacher, with a Master’s degree in Education from Walden University and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Among her many education honors is a Golden Apple Award for “Teacher of Distinction,” and “Teacher of the Year” awards in Lee County (Fla.). She currently teaches Language Arts at the internationally-acclaimed Duke Ellington School of the Arts, in Washington, D.C..
Posts by Vanessa W. Snyder:
- Reading fights summer learning loss
- Speak carefully, your kids are listening
- Don’t be afraid to let kids fail
- Ms. Mom: Determined to Enjoy Every Stage
- No Wimpy Parenting, Part III
- Cultivating curiosity in kids
- Enjoying life just because….
- Affirming words can go long way
- Resist Spring Break Slowdown
- No wimpy parenting, Part 2
