Valerie has been a Resource Specialist at San Andreas High School for ten years and has been studying and practicing mindfulness for over 15 years. She completed two yearlong Mindfulness Facilitator training programs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In 2012, she co-founded a mindfulness meditation sitting group in Redlands that continues to flourish. She has led mindfulness groups for teens, adults, people in recovery, people of color, and women. Valerie has previously led a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction class for SBCUSD’s Wellness Program for 1.5 years. She has taught a meditation class series at the University of Redlands Meditation Room that was geared toward first generation college students. Most recently she trained counselors from SBCUSD with the intention of participants developing a personal mindfulness practice and learning the basics of facilitation. Lastly, she is currently exploring the intersection of mindfulness and education as it relates to SEL for children dealing with trauma.