Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorge Valenzuela

Hi Jorge , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I never meant to be an educator. In college, my major was computer science with a minor in business and I wanted to be a computer scientist. I learned about coding, artificial intelligence, and information technology!

Fast forward to graduation, where I got a contract for 37, 000 to work for an IT firm in New York City, and I thought I was going to be rich. I ran through the CS department at SUNY Old Westbury in NY and bragged to my friends. And then I went home and did the same thing.

My dearest Aunt, (who was a teacher) heard me talking this way and She pulled me aside! She said Young man, listen, you need to be a teacher. You have a very unique way of explaining things and we need that in education.

I’ll be honest, at first, I didn’t see that for myself. Because I didn’t have the confidence I have now. But I learned this. Relationships are the most important thing in life and when people see potential in you that you don’t see in yourself and they like you, they will help you. And sometimes, they even create opportunities for you.

She and the principal at her school created a summer school job for me to teach middle schoolers about technology and computers for about 5 weeks. I thought I would do that job for the 5 weeks and then move on to all my other dreams. But that summer, I met 25 kids who changed my mind and the entire trajectory, not just of my career but also my life!

I got into the classroom and started out as a computer science and STEM teacher. and I did that for about seven years. Then I got my administrative license, and I realized in the internship, I don’t want to be a principal anytime soon.

I don’t want to be an AP. I don’t want to do cafeteria duty, bus duty, or referrals. so I stayed in the classroom.

And then one day someone from central office walked into my classroom and saw me teach. She was very impressed! And encouraged me to apply — for the instructional leadership position for my content area. I’ll be honest, again, I didn’t have the confidence I do now. But like I said, when people like you, they help you. She kept encouraging me for about six months.

Finally, I applied, I interviewed, and I got the job.

When I got into the job, I realized that sometimes from central office we tell teachers to do things we don’t know how to do ourselves.

I had no interest in being a transactional leader—someone who say’s OK here’s the curriculum and here’s the resources — now figure it out. I wanted to be a transformational leader. Someone who has the knowledge and skills and can show all educators (weather administrators or teachers) how to improve in their craft and if I don’t know how to do something myself, I’ll find the right coach and learn alongside my colleagues.

I also became a master teacher and got into the Ph.D. program, and learned the science behind all of the strategies I use in my work. And now I co-create with other educators — systems for many topics pertaining to instructional innovation, which is why I do what I do today. My work is relevant nationally and internationally through my books, podcast and other writings.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

My biggest challenge was building confidence in myself as an educator. I was the person who would pray in faculty meetings that I wouldn’t be called on, as the anxiety was crippling and traumatizing. I overcame this by dedicating constant attention to practicing effective strategies and positive self-talk. Through repetition and repeated attempts, I gradually experienced many small successes that significantly boosted my overall confidence. That’s why I now confidently share my journey with other educators—I don’t want anyone else to feel the way I once did.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

Instructional innovation means creating new ways to design, deliver, or assess learning — including using technology. One way of doing this — is through action research where teaching teams in schools serve as both researchers and practitioners.

I became passionate about instructional innovation during my time at Richmond City Public Schools when I was at central office from 2007 to 2017. We had 50 schools and my C&I director, Mrs. Victoria Oakley made sure that every nine weeks, every quarter, every instructional specialist and every instructional leader in the school system visited all of the 50 schools.

We did something called instructional rounds. By visiting classrooms and seeing instruction in real time, we learned about our teachers and kids. We learned to conduct action research by finding themes in the data we collected during learning walks and then designed PD interventions based on what we saw in the data. I took aspects of that methodology and adapted it into my own business.

And now I have an original instructional innovation model which is the topic of my new book titled, ‘Instructional Innovation Pro’ which will be published towards the end of 2024 or early 2025.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?

Remember to know and live your “passion” for your life’s work, and then use what you learn to help others. That’ll give you purpose and fulfillment as the driving force behind your actions and motivation, keeping you going even when things don’t go your way and challenges arise. By connecting your passion to purpose, you stay connected to yourself and others—thus creating community and good karma. Living “in purpose” means aligning your daily tasks and long-term goals with your values and aspirations, ensuring your work remains focused and impactful for others. This practice enhances your satisfaction and inspires those around you, creating a positive ripple effect in your personal and professional environments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lifelonglearningdefined.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jorgedoespbl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifelongLearningDefined/
• Twitter: https://x.com/JorgeDoesPBL?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jorgevalenzuela1562/playlists
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HpafbxtkkoQ1fyoEIwjo0