Valadez chosen as Cal-HOSA Advisor of the Year

While at a leadership conference to showcase her students’ talents, Southwest High School’s Health Occupations Students of America advisor was shocked to hear she had been recognized as the best across the state.

On March 17, Jacqueline Valadez was nominated as Cal-HOSA’s Advisor of the Year in recognition of her time, effort and commitment to the organization and providing students with opportunities.

“Receiving the award was a surprise, I wasn’t expecting it. I think I was selected because I have students who engage in the opportunities that HOSA offers and they excel in those opportunities,” explained the HOSA advisor on her recent award.

Valadez was awarded during a HOSA state leadership conference in Sacramento she attended with her students, who she believes are the main reason for the recognition.

“I just think I’m the facilitator of opportunities for students, but the students are the ones doing the work and making that connection to the future,” said Valadez. “I don’t think I do anything special, I believe the students have the power to achieve anything they want and I see it.”

Valadez is no stranger to yearly awards, in 2016 she was nominated by Imperial County Office of Education for California Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year and nominated as National Life Group’s LifeChanger of the Year.

Seeing her HOSA students grow their communication abilities and be successful is one of Valadez’s greatest joys of being an advisor.

“I believe in my students abilities to succeed. I want to see the sparkle in their eyes, seeing their eyes open to a future they never envisioned for themselves,” commented Valadez on what she enjoys about teaching.

Valadez also acts as the first and only ROP Dental Assistant instructor at a high school in the Imperial Valley since she began the program in 2007 at Southwest High.

Before becoming an instructor, she was a Registered Dental Hygienist and never thought becoming a high school teacher would become a part of her life.

The Southwest teacher continues to instill into her students what she learned from her time working in the dental field.

Valadez felt honored to win the award and believes it is also a reflection of the influence her mom, who was an elementary school teacher for 30 years, and former Southwest High Principal Danette Morrelle has had on her career.

Entering her 10th year at Southwest High, Valadez will continue teaching with the same effort she always has, although with one more plaque on her wall.