A talk with child psychologist and educater Valerie Rita

Valerie Rita has been a part of the boys and girls club organization for several years. Her extensive knowledge of childhood education exceeds expertise.

At the early age of seventeen, Valerie worked in the young adult’s ministry at her local church in Orlando Florida. It was then that she noticed she had an unmatched passion to help children in need. She decided to go on and study psychology at Valencia community college in hopes of becoming a children’s counsellor someday.

Upon graduation from College, Valerie began working at a local boys and girls club in Florida, she originally started working there as an art director and quickly became consular for many students at the after-school program. She would spend countless hours tutoring and mentor the children even after her normal work hours.

Her ability to problem solve and build up the kid’s self-esteem did not go unnoticed by members of the staff, parents and the community at large. She was very popular and well-liked amongst the kids in the community and valued as a staff member in the Taft location. Valerie also played basketball and ran tracks at middle and high school. She would often come in on her day off to play basketball with the children and kept them engaged in extracurricular activities.

While still working at boys and girls club, Valerie went back to college and got a degree in Digital arts and now working on her master’s in Creative Writing. Valerie writes poems and does illustrations for the children in the boys and girls club. Valerie decided to go on and become a middle school teacher where she can educate and connect with her students. In many ways, she continually makes a positive impact in each child whose life she touches. She never gives up on these children no matter how troubled they are. In one of the interviews I had with her, she stated that “I love to work with children no one wants until I bring out the best in them because they are valuable”. Recently, Valerie collaborated with another teacher in the Palmetto Elementary School where they both teach, and they wrote a grant to fund over 200 children in the Boys and Girls club to visit Disney World, Orlando Florida. Till date, Valerie spends her time educating, coaching, feeding, clothing these children and creating a stable and fun learning environment.

Valerie’s long-standing achievements, extensive education in child psychology and her great experience sets her apart not only an expert but a great coach in child development.

I learned so much from just sitting and listening to Ms Rita. Her wealth of knowledge on the ways she connects with the children intrigued me. I loved it when she said that she finds creative ways to connect with each child and respects them. She never writes them off and even though she mentioned that some other staff members resigned, Valerie’s love for the children’s development keeps her continue working with them. I admired her perseverance, persistence and patience in working with these kids. It taught me to stay consistent and committed to a cause and eventually there will be great results.