Staff Spotlight, Valeska Simmonds,
Site Coordinator for Forest Dale Elementary School

Education: B.A. in Bible and Religion, Anderson University. Completed the Transition to Teaching program from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Experience: Worked for the MSD of Pike Township as the Site Coordinator of the Kindergarten Loving Care Program at Fish Back Creek Elementary for 1 1/2 years; Lead Teacher for the YMCA Kindergarten Plus program for 3 years; staff member for YMCA summer and holiday camps at Forest Dale Elementary.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A:  My father was in the army so I grew up all over the eastern half of the United States. I call my home of record Michigan because, well, it is my favorite state next to Texas.

Q: What elementary school did you attend?
A: You know it has been so long since I went to elementary school that I cannot remember the name of it. I do remember the names of the secretary and principal. Mrs. Corn was the secretary and Mrs. Crow was the principal. As you can imagine I had a lot of fun with those names.

Q: What is one of your favorite memories from elementary school?
A:  My favorite memories of elementary school like all children were recess and P.E. I loved being able to run around and not have to sit still.

Q: What was your favorite subject in elementary school and why?
A: Reading has always been my favorite subject. My father and uncle enjoyed reading. They read westerns and I started to read them to. I expanded my reading list to include mythology, history and biographies.

Q: Why did you decide to study education in college or enter this field?
A: I had always planned on teaching biblical studies at the college level. I accepted a position at Pike Township just to tide me over but I got hooked working with children. I love their energy, their sense of humor, and I find their honesty very refreshing.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: What I enjoy most about my job is building relationships with my staff, parents and most of all the children.

Q: What unique skills/talents do you apply to your job?
A: The most unique talent I bring to this job is my sense of humor.

Q: How do you handle a “bad” day?
A: On a bad day, you learn from it and then you move on. Things will not always be perfect; I do not expect them to be. One thing I never do is take that bad day into the next one. Each day is a chance to start over.

Q: What do you hope your ESE participants take away from the program?
A: My hope is that program participants leave with a sense of belonging. That they grow up realizing that nothing is impossible. That they begin to see that no matter what your age is you can make a difference.

Q: Why/how do you think Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is making a positive impact in the elementary schools?
A: I think that the dynamics of this program and the way it is set up is affording participants more opportunity to explore the world around them by the club choices that are offered.

Q: Favorite quote/saying:
A:  One of my favorite sayings is “Nothing happens by chance.”