HI! My name is Gayle Valdez. I live in Sparks, Georgia,  am a proud mother of three AMAZING kids, and a recent graduate from Valdosta State University's College of Education program in Early Childhood Education. I have been told that I am one of those teachers that teach "outside of the box." I love to interact while learning, and I love to discover far more than just standards. People are important to me, and I see my students as people...not just kids. I am anxious to begin my journey as a teacher and experience new discoveries with the students in my future.


Why I want to become a teacher:   
 There are many reasons I can think of why I want to become a teacher. First, and needless to say, I love children, but more importantly I believe in them. I think that our children are our future, and how we teach them to be today is how they will treat the world tomorrow. Second, children are people too. They deserve to have a teacher that believes in them even if she doesn't agree with them. I want to give children a chance to be themselves and to learn in a manner best suited for them. I want my students to be the best  they can be and be happy with whatever in the world that may be.




Who inspired me to teach? 
    I am not sure I was ever inspired to be a teacher. As a matter of fact, it was the furthest career from my mind as an adolescent. There became a time, and maybe it was after I had children with differences of my own, that I realized all children were not being treated equally. I became an advocate for my own children and then later for children in my classroom where I was a paraprofessional for children with severe special needs. That changed my life. I needed to do something to help them, to fight for them. They are as precious to me still today as they were then. I guess I could confidently say that they, the children in that special needs class, inspired me to teach. To be a voice for them and children like them.

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My Favorite Websites:

This summer, I will be spending three weeks from May 9-June1 in the Czech Republic with Valdosta State University's Live and Learn Program. We will have an opportunity to experience another country, their culture, and the children in the schools as well. It will be the opportunity of a lifetime, and I am so excited about having the chance to go. You can learn more about the Czech Republic and see pictures from last year's Live and Learn trip by clicking these links. I will also have some pictures up after the trip to share with you so keep checking back for that.

   Focus on the family is a great Christian based family website. Focus on the Family has boundless resources to make a better you and help you to make your family a better family. Founded by Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family has reached many people for Christ over the years. Through radio, publications, and more, Focus on the Family keeps their eyes on the prize...Jesus.


   Focus on your child is connected to the focus on the family site, but this site is solely based on your children. With topics based on education, health, development, relationships, etc., Focus on Your Child is another effort from Focus on the family to help you to be a better you and a better parent. Their goal is, "Helping parents raise healthy, confident and well-adjusted children."  The resources are, once again, unlimited. Take a look, you may find something that really helps you! If you click on the boy in the box, it will connect you directly with a weekly column titled: "Life Outside the Box."


is a great site for students and teachers alike. Kids can have fun learning, and teachers can find sources for their classroom. Starfall is a great place for work and play. Starfall describes themselves as a, "learn-to-read website offered free as a public service."

Georgia Kids is another great website for both students and teachers. Everything a kids needs to know about
 Georgia can be found in this website. Georgia Kids includes fun facts, games, and Georgia history among other interesting facts about Georgia.
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All About Coloring is a great site full of games and puzzles for kids. They also have free print out coloring pages to use in a classroom or at home. They have back to school coloring sheets, holiday coloring sheets, animals, and so much more. It is a great place to print out fun quiet work or to reinforce some of the things you are teaching in the classroom.


     Pam Munoz Ryan is an amazing author. She was won many awards for her children's books like Esperanza Rising. Her website has much to offer. You can find information on her books, personal information on Pam, tips on getting started as an author, as well as FREE bookmarks (everyone loves FREE). Take a look and read her books! (The book link will connect you to Pam's page for her very first children's book.)




    Allen Levi recently visited our church and BLEW ME AWAY! He is a folk singer with a strong message. Visit his site and be sure to listen to his songs.








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Thank you to   for the use of clip art on this and all of my pages.

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