Efrain Valdivia was nominated by JR Roach, a member of the community.
Mr. Valdivia is a veteran educator who has spent 21 of the 29 years that he has been in the United States, in the classroom.
Born in the city of Chinandega, Nicaragua, Mr. Valdivia was forced to flee his homeland in the 1980's and was granted political asylum in the United States. He had been a marine biologist in his country, but coming to a new country where he had no family, no support system and did not speak the language, he got a job at the airport as a baggage handler. Mr. Valdiva worked long hours to bring his wife and two baby boys to America. Determined to make a better life for his family, he went back to college and earned a Master of Science degree.
His first job in the classroom was with an alternative school for at-risk students. Here he honed the qualities that would make him the outstanding mentor and role-model that he is. He sought to understand the realities of his students and to communicate to them his care and concern. With time he gained the trust and respect of his students and designed his lesson plans to ensure the topics would be interesting, practical and relevant to them. He piqued their interest and engaged them in learning.
At Miami Lakes Middle School, where he has been for the past 14 years Mr. ‘V’, as he is affectionately called by his students, is known to schedule home visits with parents who are unable to attend Parent-Teacher conferences. By making himself available to meet with these parents on Saturdays and Sundays at their homes, he communicates his concern about the future of his students and creates a partnership with the parents. His dedication to his craft, as well as his commitment to the young lives that he helps to shape was recognized when he was awarded Teacher of the Year for the 2009-10 school year.
He has never forgotten his immigrant roots and gives back to this community by teaching GED classes at the Adult Education Center at American Senior High where he has worked with the current Principal, Mr. Alex Cazañas, for over 10 years. According to Mr. Cazañas, the GED programme at the school is the largest in the county with students ranging in age from sixteen years to over eighty. The school's success is due in no small measure to the caliber of the teachers who are hand-picked for the post. The enrollment in Mr. Valdivia’s class speaks volumes about his contribution as it represents 52% of the total enrollment. Principal Cazañas declared, “Mr. V is a consummate professional who always gives 150% and whose students respect and love him.”
Mr. Valdivia is an excellent co-worker. He is always willing to hepo others and it doesn't matter how much time he needs to dedicate to help other fellow teachers or his students, he does it happily and very effectively.
Jose Angel Linares Posted over a year ago
No other teacher have impacted my life like Mr. Valdivia. He is a natural motivator, dedicated teacher. He loves what he does. He deserves to be recognized. God bless him!
Jorge Luis Loyola Posted over a year ago
I am more than happy to have a teacher like Mr. Valdivia because I am sure with him I will reach my goal: To get my GedDiploma
Michael Perez Posted over a year ago
I recently started my GED Course with Mr. Valdivia and consider the best teacher I have not only because I am learning with him but also because He is a passionate teacher
Paola Fernandez Posted over a year ago
Mr. Valdivia is a terrific teacher !!!!!!!!!!!!
Bryan Fernandez Posted over a year ago
I know Mr. Valdivia since He is my GED teacher and I think He is a great teacher. He should be recognized for it !!!!!!
Karen Baumholtz Posted over a year ago
Mr. Valdivia is an asset to our staff. He is friendly and kind, with a great sense of humor. He is a hard worker and is respected and loved by his students and his peers! So proud of you, Efrain Valdivia!
Iriana Vazquez Posted over a year ago
Mr. Valdivia puts a lot of effort and dedication into his profession. He is an excellent colleague. Congratulations!
Adasis Bautista Posted over a year ago
Mr. Valdivia is a generous, caring and friendly colleague. He goes out of his way to make sure that each child in his class feels safe and welcomed. Congrats on your nomination!
Marlene Seijo Posted over a year ago
Mr. Valdivia and I work together as teachers at Miami Lakes Middle School for more than 14. I know how much effort, love and dedication he puts into the school, the students and our profession in general. every day of his life!!!
He not only an excellent professional, he is also a great human been and co-worker!!
It is a pleasure working with you Mr. Valdivia.
Jenel Romero Posted over a year ago
So very proud of you and your accomplishments. It is a pleasure working with you and always being greeted with a warm, great big smile!
elizabeth Lopetegui Posted over a year ago
So happy for Mr. Valdivia, who always has a smile and is friendly to all of his colleagues. Congratulations on the nomination!
Jizelle Rivera Posted over a year ago
Mr.V was my 7th grade science teacher at Miami lakes middle school . He is a great teacher and a great person to go to if you ever needed anything and always was there to help and take action !. I'm happy to see that he is being recognized for his hard work he is a great person !! .
Maria Arguelles Posted over a year ago
I am a privileged to write in support of my colleague and friend Efrain Valdivia. I have had the pleasure of knowing his family and working with him for twenty years in the same department, first at West Hialeah Institute and for the last 17 years at Miami Lakes Middle School, were he has been entrusted with a great deal of responsibility as a science teacher. I have had the opportunity to observe Mr. Valdivia's professional skills as well as his interpersonal style. In the same way that he is an excellent father and grandfather, he always treats his students with respect helping them in any possible way. He is consistently pleasant and takes all the assignments with enthusiasm and dedication. He puts a lot of effort into finding the right types of resources needed to complement classroom instruction. On the other hand, he has the ability to communicate with parents, mainly parents of the students who have academic and behavioral problems through out the home visiting program, advising them on how to work with their children in order for them to be better students. In my opinion, Mr. Valdivia is an excellent human being who puts his best in trying to help his students and coworkers, I have always known him to be a respectful and responsible individual, I can attest to his tremendous effort to be a better teacher every day.
Ms. Acosta Posted over a year ago
Mr. Valdivia, was my son's science teacher in 7th grade. He was an inspiration to all his students. Mr. Valdivia always had new ideas and innovative ways to make the science class interesting. He not only was an excellent teacher he was also a father figure to the kids. Even through the years my son has always remembered science concepts that Mr. Valdivia taught him.
Carlos Caceres Posted over a year ago
Excellent Person, Teacher and colleague, who really care about his job.
Darlene G. Epstein Posted over a year ago
Mr. Valdivia is a colleague of mine in the Science department at Miami Lakes Middle School. He is an experienced teacher having taught grades six, seven and eight. What the students like most about Mr. Valdivia, is that he injects a sense of humor into his lessons, keeping student interest at a maximum. Efrain also integrates a lot of technology into his lessons. When you go into his classroom, you may find students working on projects or in cooperative groups gathering research for an upcoming assignment. When Mr. Valdivia attends workshops, he always shares knowledge learned with his department colleagues. He uses differentiated instruction techniques to meet all his students individual needs. It it for all the aforementioned statements that I support Mr. Valdivia in achieving this prestigious award.
Raul Amador Posted over a year ago
I know Mr Valdivia for more than 20 years ,and have become closed friend.We start work together in 2000 at West Hialeah Institute .we also work together for many years at American Adult Education .Mr valdivia is very professional ,and hard worker person .He always face any challenge as long as it helped him grow as a good teacher .Mr V is a `man of principles. He always instills the best in his students. I hope he will be the winner. He deserve it
Myra Santana Posted over a year ago
Mr.Valdivia was my daughters 7th grade science teacher and I must say he has been a great inspiration to her. Mr. Valdivia was very patient, helpful and effective in her developing and learning skills. My child's favorite subject continues to be science thanks to how fun Mr. Valdivia made the experience for her.
Luis Valdivia Posted over a year ago
My father is the best Role model a son can ask for. I've seen him overcome numerous obstacles in life and he has always led by example. He genuinely enjoys helping today's youth. Mr.Valdivia has an impecable work ethic and has a passion for helping others succeed in life. He's my hero and I'm very happy for him to be nominated for such a prestiges award.
Efrain Valdivia (son) Posted over a year ago
I have learned a lot of life lessons from watching my father overcome the obstacles that life has thrown his way. I admire the fact that his determination helped him overcome these obstacles, while making sure that he was always there for his two sons. My father is a great example of a person that is so passionate about his career field, that he was willing to face any challenge as long as it helped him grow as a teacher. I’m sure his students appreciate the fact that my father has a passion for teaching.
Ana Pena Posted over a year ago
I have worked with Mr. Valdivia for many years. He is very professional, and his enthusiasm for the love of teaching is truly present in his lessons.
Jimmy Robaina Posted over a year ago
I have known Mr. Valdivia for over 15 years and have become close friends. He has always expressed himself with ultimate respect and character. Raised in humble beginnings, he truly understands the values of life that make him who he is today. A man of principles, he instills the best in his students and in return they adore him.
Mistique Hernandez Posted over a year ago
I believe Mr. Efrain Valdivia is one of the best educators I know. As my fellow colleague and mentor, I always see him go above and beyond to educate his students and give back to the community. He always maintains positive relationships with parents and students to ensure he meets the needs of everyone and leads them to success. Mr. Valdivia is more than qualified to be the life changer of the year. You go Mr. Valdivia!"Goooooo Warriors!"
Elizabeth T Gutierrez Posted over a year ago
I met Mr. Valdivia in Miami Lakes Middle School, I am retired from the school system, and was working a part-time at the school he works, went to his classroom in various ocassions and saw this teacher working with students that really need all the attention they can get from a teacher, he really know how to speak to these students, to me personally he deserve to win this award he is a dedicated teacher, any questions I be more than happy to answer for you, Mrs. Elizabeth T. Gutierrez
Marielis Posted over a year ago
Awesome teacher I really like him a lot he's the best
Marielis Posted over a year ago
Awesome teacher I really like him a lot he's the best
Marielis Posted over a year ago
Awesome teacher I really like him a lot he's the best
Angeles Rojas Posted over a year ago
Excellent person, great job in and out the classroom.
Anaelisa Posted over a year ago
He's the Best teacher ever
Luisiana Quijada Posted over a year ago
Mr. Valdivia is my favorite teacher, without a doubt. I've learned a lot from him, he was always trying to make his classes something that could be enjoyed and we could all learn a lot. He's very smart, so he tries to pass the knowledge around his students. I can say for sure that I learned lots of things of each and every one of his classes, and I'm proud to have him as a teacher. He taught me things that I never got to remember before, and he made sure this time I remembered all of it so it would be something useful for me in the future. There aren't much teachers like him nowadays, and I'm really glad I got to be his student. BEST TEACHER EVER!!!
