• “A great teacher takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary, incorporating personal relationships, relevancy of material to real world applications, rigor that creates a critical thinker and continual reflection of both the strengths and weaknesses of the lesson given. I am a successful educator because I continually take these four facets and match them against what I am doing everyday with the gift I have been given-our youth, the foundation for our country and this world.”
• “Growth cannot occur without challenges, and I continually challenge both my science students and my student council students to step outside of their comfort zone and take risks educationally and with leadership. When they do this, they empower themselves and realize that their limitations only lie within the preconceptions they create. When I watch a biology student create a hypothesis, test it and record their results, I inform them they are a scientist. The thrill of seeing their eyes light up and understanding cross their faces is ultimate remuneration for what I do-they get it, and I provided the tools to make it happen. “
• “Relevancy and relationship will foster intellectual and personal growth, but I can take it a step further and model excellence; I understand that for students to actualize their potential they need rigor and they need to be challenged.”
• “Mrs. Valderrama exemplifies the qualities of an excellent teacher. Jamie brings passion and enthusiasm along with knowledge and experience to learning. When entering her classroom, students are immediately drawn to her enthusiasm for learning. She is dedicated and cares deeply for each and every student. Jamie recognizes the importance of being a good role model and takes her responsibility seriously. Her teaching reaches beyond the classroom. By earning her students’ trust, she takes them on a journey of learning beyond the classroom to the real world in consideration of the impact they can make on the world.” Dr. A. Denise Birdwell, Superintendent, Higley Unified School District.

Ms. Valderrama graduated from Fayetteville State University in North Carolina with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology Education. She will graduate with her Masters of Art in Health Education degree from Western Governors University in 2011. Ms. Valderrama has been a teacher for seven years at Higley High School.