Ismael Valentin Jr the new high school vice principal, has joined the school this year, eager to make a lasting impact on students’ lives.
Mr. Valentin’s international teaching experience and passion for education reflect his commitment to student success. As he transitions into leadership in Colombia, the school anticipates his impactful contributions.
“For me, it’s very important to be able to have an impact on students’ lives and on future generations,” Mr.Valentin said.
Emphasizing his passion for education. His teaching experience spans subjects like technology, coding, English, and math. Transitioning from teaching to administration, Mr. Valentin brings valuable insight into managing student success. Principal Mr. Navarra recalls his first impression during the interview process.
“I found him to be very student-centered, calm, and professional. I was excited to bring his technology and special education background to our school,” High school principal, Paul Navarra, said.
Mr. Valentin’s connection to Colombia adds a personal dimension to his role. His cultural connection helps him relate to the students and community on a deeper level, strengthening his commitment to making an impact.
“I lived in Medellín for a year about seven years ago, and I really loved it…Being Latino myself, I always wanted to kind of be in Latin America,” Mr. Valentin said.
One of the key focuses of Mr. Valentin’s leadership is clear communication and setting expectations for students. This focus on transparency and clear goals aligns with his belief in establishing a structured environment that prepares for success while ensuring students understand the rules of the school. In the event of a disciplinary issue, his approach involves meeting with the student, explaining why their actions violated the Manual de Convivencia, and working together to determine a fair consequence. He hopes to set up students up for succes by setting clear standards to students but also to teacher and staff.
“I’m a really big fan of setting people up for success and telling them what the expectations are before,” Valentin said.
His approach to discipline, however, has not gone unnoticed by students. Senior Jerónimo Serrano appreciates Mr. Valentin’s efforts to maintain order but also suggests he could benefit from more interaction with students.
“My first impression was that he’s a very serious man, who is very responsible and very attached to the rules, but my advice would be for him to try to interact more with us,” Jeronimo Serrano, senior, said.
Mr. Valentin concludes by emphasizing his deep-rooted commitment to the community and students, expressing admiration for the country, and outlining his future goals to strengthen his connection with students ensuring their academic and social success.
“I always wanted to come back to Colombia, and now I’m here, ready to support as many students as I can,” Valentin concluded.