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Nevada State GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded grant that is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. School selection is based on a federally free or reduced lunch rate of 50% or higher. Generally, students are identified as GEAR UP during their 7th grade year and exposed to GEAR UP activities that continue through high school and their first year of college at a Nevada System of Higher Education institution. For the 2020-2021 & 2021-2022 school years CCSD GEAR UP had the opportunity to be in three middle schools; Walter Johnson Junior High, Hyde Park Middle School, and Kenny Guinn Middle School. GEAR UP services will follow these students through any one of our three GEAR UP high schools through the year 2026. CCSD GEAR UP high schools include Bonanza High School, Clark High School and Durango High School.
Get to know your GEAR UP Specialists! We are excited to be a part of your journey all the way through your high school graduation! Your high school experience should be a preparation for the future that lies ahead. We are here to support you and answer any questions you might have about your future goals. We would love to hear from you. How can we help?
Mrs. Tapia-GEAR UP Specialist
Mrs. Tapia-GEAR UP Specialist
Mrs. Tapia was born right here in Las Vegas! She attended UNLV for her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She began her career with Clark County School District straight out of college teaching elementary school for eight years and then moving up to middle school to teach math for just over seven years. She earned her Master's degree through Touro University to become a school counselor and right after graduation, a GEAR UP position opened up where Mrs. Tapia found her dream job! Her passion is to help students find their own path after high school and then to achieve their goals. College applications, scholarship applications and helping families complete the FAFSA are just a few of the important pieces to post-secondary education.
In her free time, Mrs. Tapia enjoys spending time with her friends & family, watching her kids play sports, and taking her kids to enjoy new places & experiences!
kohleam@nv.ccsd.net 702-799-4000 ext. 4150
Mrs. Apo - Gear UP Specialist
Mrs. Apo - Gear UP Specialist
Vannessa grew up in various cities and towns across the USA but refers to Woodbridge, Virginia as her hometown. She moved to Las Vegas in 2005 with her family and completed her Associates in Education at CSN. From there she went on to UNLV where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She taught 7th grade History while pursuing her Masters in Counseling, which she completed in September of 2021. That same year she embarked on her School Counseling career before moving into GEAR UP. Vannessa loves all things Disney, spending time with her family, catching up on her never-ending list of shows, reading, practicing Yoga, going to concerts, coffee and traveling. She is excited to be a part of the GEAR UP team to support students with their post-secondary goals.
apovc@nv.ccsd.net 702-799-4000 ext. 4305
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