About Valerie

Hi! I'm Valerie: former elementary school teacher, writer, artist, and creative caregiver. I enjoy empowering others to create and play safely. I have taught a huge variety of subjects: Elementary school in Florida, international teaching in Thailand, cooking, art, yoga, laughter yoga, and circusy skills. While living abroad, I became fascinated by the nervous system, trauma awareness, and the power of play. Outside of work, I'm a lifelong learner and creator. I design games and educational resources, and I write poems, songs, and stories with my original monkey characters that teach emotional awareness, calming strategies, and body safety. Nowadays, I focus on nurturing more individualized care than possible in classrooms. Having recently moved back to Florida to be near my family, I'm seeking caring work where I can invest my energy and continue perfecting and personalizing my caregiving practice.