Nina Perez-Reed began her college education at Kings River Community College. After receiving her AA in liberal studies, she attended California State University, Fresno where she received her BA and MA in Linguistics with an emphasis in English as a Second Language. She  has worked at Selma Unified School district for 20 years. She taught Spanish for 14 years and English Language Development and Introduction to Teaching for five years. She currently works as a high school learning director. In recognition of her dedication to to the teaching profession, she received the Mexican American Educator of the Year Award in April 2008. She resides in Clovis with her husband and three children.