Roberto Viramontes is the Senior Director of Education Policy for First Focus. In this role he is responsible for leading the organization’s work in education policy by monitoring legislation development as it relates to K–12 education.
In 2000-2001, Roberto completed a public policy fellowship (via the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute) in Washington, D.C. where he served with Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA). This was followed by an opportunity to work for former Los Angeles City Councilmember, Ruth Galanter. Roberto then utilized his previous policy experience while working for Dakota Communications, a Los Angeles-based, consulting firm with expertise in public communications, political guidance, and community relations.
Aside from policy work, Roberto has dedicated most of his career to helping children as a social studies teacher for Green Dot Public Schools in Los Angeles. In addition, Roberto worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor and U.S. Citizenship teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. During the summer of 2009, Roberto served as a fellow with Education Pioneers, a summer Fellowship Program that selects graduate school students from business, law, policy, education, and other disciplines to leverage their skills and experience to address our nation's most critical urban education issues. As part of the fellowship, Roberto completed a placement with the Loyola Marymount University Family of Schools as a Communications and Data Coordinator.
Roberto earned his BA from Cal State Fullerton in History, with a Minor in Spanish and his teaching credential and MA in Education from Loyola Marymount University. Roberto recently completed his Master of Public Policy from USC while also teaching Advanced Placement U.S. History for Los Angeles Public Schools.
