Valerie Ontiveros is an El Paso native who has received her education locally, from attending Loretto Academy for high school, to obtaining her bachelor’s from UTEP, both aiding in the pursuit of her dream to become an elementary teacher.

Valerie’s teaching career began at Lee Elementary, in Northeast El Paso, where she taught 4th grade for 8 years.   During that time, she earned the distinction of Teacher of the Year and became the lead teacher of her grade level.  Valerie regularly promoted STEM-based projects, best practices, and reading throughout her lessons, while incorporating technology such as iPads, Nearpod and Smartboard lessons using a variety of educational websites.

During her 9th year of teaching, Valerie transitioned to the job of Active Learning Leader, an instructional coach position, where her wealth of knowledge and experience from the classroom provided support to her colleagues over the next 5 years.  She was given the opportunity to attend many educational training sessions that served as a basis for professional development gatherings she then offered to the teachers. These included TEA’s Reading Academies, Thinking Maps, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and the study and implementation of our Texas State Standards.  

Away from school, Valerie loves to spend quality time with her husband who is a local firefighter and five year old daughter Valajia.  She is excited to continue her teaching career in 4th Grade here at Cherry Hill.