Valerie's "why" is her cousin, Clem. He had cerebral palsy. Growing up, she was in awe of his beloved teachers and wanted to be just like them. After receiving a dual Bachelor's degree in Special and Elementary Education from Indiana University and a Master’s degree as a Literacy Specialist from Teachers College, Columbia University, Valerie worked as a Special Educator, just like Clem's teachers. She taught in elementary classrooms where play was always a central learning tenet. 

Valerie then worked for for Teachers College, Columbia University as an educational consultant and senior research associate. In that role, she traveled the country and the world bringing best literacy practices to educators. She presented, wrote and researched the intersection between literacy instruction and play-based learning. Valerie is also the co-author of reading, writing, and phonics curriculum and non-fiction phonics-based books for kids. 

Colorful fall leaves, pasta, cozy socks and the sound seashells make when they rustle against the ocean floor bring Valerie joy. You can often find her reading with her nieces, cuddling on the couch with her dog and cats or trying new restaurants with her friends. Valerie is happiest when she's on a great adventure with her husband, Steve, to hike, road-trip, swim, eat and wander. They went to Iceland on their 8th date and they've been all over the world since. Their travels have only been made better with the addition of Rowan, who also has an adventurous spirit. Anything with Rowan is Valerie's favorite thing to do. 

Always playing school or helping friends with their work, one could say that Jess began her career in education at a young age. She received a dual Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Art from The University of Miami and a Master’s degree as a Literacy Specialist from Teachers College, Columbia University. Throughout her teaching career, she taught in a variety of first grade, third grade, and fifth grade classrooms where she valued the importance of inquiry-based, hands-on learning while allowing her students to take ownership of the experience. 

After that, Jess became a Lower School Literacy Coordinator where she had the opportunity to reinvent the Language Arts curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade and provide curricular support and professional development for teachers. She went on to become the Associate Head of Lower School for an International Baccalaureate School in Manhattan. 

It is no secret to those that know her that Jess loves fashion and interior design. Not only are these passions that she enjoys, but she often becomes the fashion and decorating consultant for friends in need. When Jess isn’t semi-professionally online shopping and returning (according to her husband, Marty), she enjoys traveling, especially to Italy, where she and Marty have visited 5 times. With the arrival of her daughter, Siena, in May 2022, she has been staying a little closer to home and teaching her about the joys of play, books, and dogs, especially their own dog, Luna. Best of all, Jess enjoys spending time with her family, smothering Siena and Luna with snuggles, and making memories together.