Jeremy Vaa

Educator|Entrepreneur|Traveler

Experience

Jeremy Vaa is the CEO of Green Light Tour and Travel. Green light embodies the importance of expanding one’s horizons through their mission statement, “Explore. Learn. Inspire. Grow.” The company provides unique opportunities for students to learn through seeing, experiencing, and interacting with the world in a way that a textbook simply cannot. Green Light offers regional tours to Washington, D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and many other destinations across the nation.

Before founding Green Light Student Travel, Jeremy Vaa worked as a social studies teacher at La Colina Junior High School and San Marcos High School. Known for his engagement and enthusiasm in developing the education of his students, Jeremy focused on designing an effective high curriculum that centered around preparing students for college coursework. It is this spirit of innovation and excellence that propelled Jeremy during his time as a teacher and now as an entrepreneur and business owner. Believing in the power of education, Jeremy’s career is one that centers around providing people with a chance to build a better tomorrow for themselves, their family, and the world.

With this in mind, Jeremy Vaa created Green Light Student Travel as a way to provide once in a lifetime tour experiences for students, usually ranging from seventh grade to twelfth grade. Jeremy noticed that while growing “textbook-smart” is not something that one should neglect, it was imperative that educators provide students with a way to explore, experience, and expand their horizons by encountering new people and new cultures.

Green Light arose out of Jeremy’s mindset to help provide an excellent way for teachers and students to build character and knowledge through eye-opening travel experiences. Green Light offers a variety of trips for students interested in everything ranging from social studies to architecture to dance and performing arts. In his role as CEO, Jeremy has been a catalyst behind the business’ professional development, serving as a leader across a variety of functions, including business development, working with teachers and trip planning. 

But Jeremy hasn’t built a business that he no longer interfaces with — he has personally led a number of trips to ensure that the quality and safety of the experience live up to the Green Light standard that so many have come to appreciate.

Jeremy Vaa received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California at Davis and his Masters of Education and Social Studies Teaching Credential from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is currently taking classes in pursuit of a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Illinois.

Career Experience and Education

Green Light Tour and Travel

Jeremy Vaa successfully started and built Green Light, a boutique tour experience for students’ grades seven through twelve. Here, he leads across a broad range of functions including trip planning, marketing and business development. 
Jeremy loves working closely with the teachers to deliver the perfect trip for students. 

Teacher, La Colina Junior High School and San Marcos High School

For nine years, Jeremy Vaa worked at La Colina Junior High School and San Marcos High School as an educator of World History, Economics, and American Government. During his time teaching, he developed intreactive curruiculum and  coached the high school surf team and Model United Nations teams. Among these accomplishments, he is most proud of his work transitioning 30 first generation low-income students to college through Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID).

Masters of Education|Masters of Business Administration

Jeremy Vaa received his Masters of Education from the University 
of California in Santa Barbara, CA. He is currently taking classes for his MBA at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. 

His Passions

Jeremy captained his college swim team and now enjoys surfing all over California. He has competed in sprint, Olympic and Half Ironman triathlons throughout California. His latest passsion is cycling long distances with friends and going on shorter weekend rides around San Francisco with his family. For Jeremy, the same passion that drives him to continually improve Green Light Tour and Travel is the same one that motivates him to get out and explore for himself.

Recent Blogs

The National Cherry Blossom Festival: When and Where to View

The National Cherry Blossom Festival: When and Where to View

Spring has sprung and that means the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C. are starting to bloom! Millions flock to our Nation’s capital each year to witness the stunning array of soft pink colors lining the Tidal Basin. Even though the Cherry Blossom Festival takes...

Tips for Teachers: Hotel Procedures

Tips for Teachers: Hotel Procedures

Arriving or departing a hotel can be a bit of a whirlwind. Below are a few quick tips to create the smoothest experience possible. Tip #1: Checking into the hotel – Have 1-2 chaperones check into the hotel. They should be given rooming keys, several rooming lists,...

Tips For Teachers: Dining with Student Groups

Tips For Teachers: Dining with Student Groups

We have a few tips to help trip leaders make the student group dining process as smooth as possible.   Tip #1: Call the Restaurant about an hour out to make sure they are ready for your group. Restaurants receive group reservations year-round so they can get...