SHS Maroon

Humans of Scarsdale: Volume XI
-
How did you decide to teach at SHS? What are your plans after retirement?
-
“After teaching for 15 years and graduating from law school, I decided to leave WPHS to work at a law firm in the city. A week later I was covered in soot on 9/11. In the days that followed, I realized more keenly than ever the importance of teaching history and tolerance. I decided to return to the classroom. I chose Scarsdale from 3 districts because of its professionalism and its commitment to excellence.

I'm so grateful for all I've experienced as a teacher. In my retirement, whether in a classroom, courtroom, paper or some other medium, I hope to continue to learn, teach and encourage as many people as possible to engage with the world.”
-
Why is traveling so important to you?
-
“I have traveled the world over, as a teacher, and at times, by myself. In class, I've shared much about my travel experiences with the hope that my students will be inspired to learn about others and to understand that the way we treat others shows much about who we are as a people, nation, and culture.

My life is very different from that of the average SHS student, so I share much of my personal life to educate them not only about the history of the world but my own personal history. I'm Latina, born and raised in Newark, NJ and lived in Puerto Rico as a child. I am the first of 19 grandchildren born in the USA on my mother's side of the family. I am the first person in my family to go to college. I want them to see that our own "histories" are affected by, and in turn, affect/make up the history of the world. We are all part of the story.”
-
Featuring SHS World History Teacher Maria Valentin ... See MoreSee Less

Photo