About Valerie

My passion for children has been part of my earliest experiences. My first undergraduate work was in Elementary Education. I have raised a large family, had foster children, mentored children, tutored children and advocated for children. I believe children are most teachable when the caregiver builds a trusting relationship. I believe to instill curiosity a child benefits from being exposed to a variety of influences. How we react to a child affects their values, whether performance orientated to principled and passionate. A child benefits from developing their own identity and being free to express themselves within a structure and system that is promoting more than imposing. A child forms an emotional reaction to experience and will naturally connect to learning when it's attached to positive emotions. I love watching children during their developmental years as they become confident and secure. I believe the most important years are the early years as a foundation is formed.