Valerie Howell is joining the Energy Tech staff this year as both a Spanish Teacher and the Career Readiness Advisor. She staunchly believes in the school’s real-world vision for students and in the actions that have been taken towards accomplishing the school’s mission. Ms. Howell has been an educator for nearly twenty years, having taught Spanish in some of the city’s top public high schools. She is particularly interested in the experiences and contributions of African and indigenous peoples in the Spanish speaking world.

A firm believer in the power of education, Ms. Howell earned her B.A. in Spanish and Political Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton, her J.D. from New York Law School with a focus on Elder Law and her M.A. in Educational Leadership from Teacher’s College at Columbia University. She also has a background in the private sector and entrepreneurship.

Ms. Howell is a music aficionado who enjoys dancing, reading and running. Her favorite television programs include Law and Order (the original), The Walking Dead, Jeopardy and Modern Family.