Hello! I'm Ms. Val, and I'm the Teaching and Learning Coach (TLC) and Montessori Coordinator at Buena Vista. I've been a public school Montessori educator for 20 years. My teaching career began when I discovered Montessori in Arizona as our youngest (son, Nick) was starting kindergarten. Having worked as a corporate Financial Analyst for several years, I quickly found my calling in Montessori education. By the time our youngest (daughter, Kelly) began elementary school, I'd received my Masters in Elementary Ed and was a certified Montessori teacher. I taught in the Mesa Public Schools' Montessori program for 13 years (three years with 2nd-3rd grades, and ten years with 4th-6th grades).

In 2013, my husband (Chuck) and I took a leap of faith and moved to Colorado. We call Woodland Park home, along with our dog (Po) and two cats (Sadie and Chloe). I've worked at BV since landing in CO Springs in 2014 - first as the gifted and talented teacher/math interventionist, and currently as the Teaching & Learning Coach and Montessori Coordinator.

When I'm not at school, I enjoy hiking, fishing, photography, working jigsaw puzzles, and learning new things. I love waking each day and taking in the beautiful sight of Pikes Peak, a fresh snowfall, or the wildlife that roams our neighborhood. Having grown up in the desert of Arizona, I've found the mountains to be my peaceful place. We are truly blessed.