About Me

I am a native of Caracas, Venezuela and grew up in Miami, Florida. I was able to earn a full academic scholarship to The University of Miami where I majored in International Finance and Marketing minoring in Spanish and French. During my time there, I walked on to the Division 1 track team, and juggled athletics and academics along with working as a Spanish tutor for athletes and the International Admissions Office. I was selected to the Southwestern Internship program in 2006 and quickly established myself as a top sales person and a top student manager. In my senior year I was honored as winner of the Student Excellence Award. This award is the highest that a student can win in Southwestern, which given to the individual who demonstrates the most excellence in sales, teaching and mentoring, leadership, academics, and service out of over 3000 students. I also began a community service project called "Valerie's Vowels" Where I taught children between the ages of 4 and 12 basic Math and English. I am also fluent in Spanish and French and have a passion for teaching and what it stands for.