Valerie Potero

Teaching is my passion! I teach the very young, K-4. The AH-HA moments get me every time. At this age students are magical. I love teaching!

Currently 12

in their Group

Help me become America's Favorite Teacher, win $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, and appear in Reader's Digest!

Voting for the TOP 15 ends Thursday the 2nd of April at 7PM PDT
Reader's Digest magazine covers

The winning teacher's inspiring story will appear in Reader's Digest, celebrating their remarkable influence on education.

Learn More
Connect
Tell us why you became a teacher

I can not remember a time in my life when I did not want to be a teacher. As a child, my friends and I would "play" school, and I was always the teacher. My heart knew what it wanted: to teach. My passion for working with young people was inspired by many great teachers, tutoring friends, and working with high school students learning English for the first time. These are a few reasons why I became a teacher.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One year, while teaching fourth grade, I had a child who was well above a fourth-grade reading level. I was assigning my class a book report in the form of a talking book jacket. The students were excited. One of my students was the only child who was not permitted to choose his own book. Instead, I assigned him The Hobbit to read and report on. After presenting all my students wanted to read it. I let them try, but it was too hard. Students learned so much from this.

What would you do with the $25,000?

There are so many things I would love to do with the $25,000. First, I would purchase items to support my students' needs and the needs of my classroom. Next, I would pay down my debt. With any remaining funds, I would definitely take a trip to Walt Disney World. We all need to do a little self-care, and besides the classroom, Disney is my happy place.

Planetary Society Planetary Society

Help Valerie Potero become America’s Favorite Teacher while supporting a great cause! Cast your daily vote below, or make an even bigger impact with a tax-deductible donation benefiting the Planetary Society.


1 Vote
10 Votes
25 Votes
50 Votes
100 Votes
250 Votes
Other Amount

Enter donation - $1 per vote

Powered By Colossal

Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like America's Favorite Teacher, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.

Learn More