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By Mandy Haggerson

For the Clemmons Courier

Educator Maricell Valerio will be retiring this year from teaching after dedicating 25 years to her students in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system. Her students and community are excited to celebrate all of her accomplishments, however it is bittersweet because the lessons she has taught have been immeasurable both in and out of the classroom. 

Growing up in San Jose, Costa Rica, Valerio’s first language is Spanish. She loved education and learning, and she realized at the age of 16 when she led a neighborhood choir that she also enjoyed spreading that joy to other kids too.

“I would teach them Christmas songs to sing for our church,” Valerio said. 

The natural leader thought her skills could be best utilized in studying international relations, however, she decided to go to business school to become a bilingual executive assistant. While studying in Costa Rica, a local Catholic school needed someone to teach the girls basic English.

“My father knew the principal who was a nun there and recommended them considering me. I taught colors, shapes, numbers and loved the connection to the students immediately,” Valerio said.

The principal of the school encouraged her career change too.

“She said I was born to be a teacher,” Valerio said. 

After that experience, Valerio earned an international scholarship in Arkansas.

“I double majored in elementary education and in foreign languages,” Valerio said.

With her new degrees under her belt from Harding University, Valerio went back to Costa Rica to be near her family and taught kindergartners English at an American school that had children from their respective embassies. 

During that time, Valerio also had two children of her own, Robert Alexander (32) and Marianni (29).

“I decided to accept an international scholarship back in the United States because I thought it would be a good opportunity for my kids too,” Valerio said.

Choosing to participate in an international faculty program, Valerio continued teaching elementary age children.

“I started teaching in Davie County for 3 years, before I began in Forsyth County. I primarily taught kids between kindergarten and 5th grade in Spanish. I love little kids and teaching them at such an impressionable age. Although, after my 18th year at West Forsyth High School teaching honors Spanish, I have come to realize that they are the same as the little kids just in bigger bodies.”

One of the ways that Valerio has opened up her student’s minds is by creating philanthropic efforts alongside their academic pursuits.

“Fifteen years ago, I started a National Honor Society for Spanish at West,” Valerio said. “They didn’t have one at the time, and we applied and were accepted. After our induction ceremony, we chose to do a project that benefited the community at Christmas time. We found children in the community that were predominantly Hispanic that due to financial circumstances weren’t able to have a typical Christmas. The kids implemented a toy drive, wrapped the presents, learned Christmas carols in Spanish, and then delivered them to the kids and their families. We had invited the families to come out and just listen to the songs. At that time, they didn’t even know we had presents, too. The faces of the kids and their families that these American students took the time to learn Christmas songs that they had not heard sung to them in their native language, was so touching. You could see how much it meant to them. When the kids started passing out the presents after singing, they were overwhelmed by the gesture. What was most beautiful is how my students responded as they were leaving the community. All of them said that they had experienced their own Christmas because of the joy they received giving instead of receiving. I was so proud of them.”

The tradition began that first Christmas 15 years ago and has continued.

“The kids start collecting toys after Thanksgiving,” Valerie said. “They will wrap them, sort them by age and gender, too. Often times they are doing this after a full day of academics or sports, and they are doing it from the heart because they understand what it means to be a member of a community. They recognize that they are giving a magical experience to these kids that the families aren’t able to do because of tough times.”

The National Honor Society at West continues to grow their philanthropic efforts thanks to Valerio.

“What I love is that students that have graduated still come back and help,” Valerio said. “Their parents want to get involved and so do their siblings. One of the siblings of a former student made a very generous donation with toys last year. We’ve had other teachers reach out to help too, like Ted Fichialos and his wife Tammy. They dressed up at Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and to see those children’s faces when they showed up was priceless. They felt so touched that they would come to their home and community. Many of the families couldn’t afford pictures at the mall with Santa, but Santa came to them. It was like magic. More than the toys or gifts, knowing that people cared for them was so special.”

As leaders in their community, Valerio was proud also started another initiative to help the families affected by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.

“You don’t have to go far to help people,” Valerio said. “That’s important for the kids to know and recognize. We are currently collecting basic supplies to donate like baby wipes, diapers, baby formula, non-perishable food items, toothpaste, pet food (dog and cat), socks (unopened), hand sanitizer, trash bags (13 gallon or contractor bags), plastic utensils to name a few.

“I’m so proud of my students. They always want to help. I’m not the star, the kids are. They continuously show they want to become better people and kind citizens in life. I have loved watching them step up time and time again to care for their community.”