Valerie Brown always knew she wanted to make an impact in the lives of children. As she shares her story, her powerful presence points to a lifetime of experiences she has used to encourage her students to achieve and excel in her classroom. When Valerie was only three years old, she started learning sign language due to her mother being deaf. She was persistent in learning by observing her mother and by the time she reached adulthood, she was highly proficient at it. However, Valerie faced challenges growing up in the sixties as a bi-racial person, having a white mother who was deaf and having a bi-racial father who was a professional boxer.
“My mother didn’t want any of us children to learn sign language because of the negative connotations associated with having a hearing impairment impacting your ability to function as a prospering adult,” said Valerie. “It was a very difficult time racially in this country and I felt that going to school and in everyday life.”
Despite the challenges Valerie faced as a person of color and part of the Child of Deaf Adult (CODA) community, she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing learning sign language and sharing her experiences with others. As a result, Valerie was able to use her challenges to inspire Stanley G. Falk (Falk) high school students through her powerful storytelling.
Valerie was one of the earliest champions of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts at the Falk School. “In the summer of 2005, I was approached by the Falk’s superintendent, at the time, about changing the language option in the high school curriculum,” explained Valerie. “Since I am fluent in sign language, I was asked to teach sign language at the Rossler campus.”
At the time, Falk was teaching German and faculty noticed how difficult it was for students to learn a foreign language. Sign language is English, which the students already knew, and is communicated using hand gestures.
“There was no curriculum for sign language, so I had to create my own,” stated Valerie. “It has been wonderful ever since I started teaching it, and the students have continued to grasp the language very well.”
Valerie has been teaching at Falk since September 1991. She has been a pivotal part of Falk’s growth and success, especially when it comes to establishing DEI initiatives. Valerie is also a proud member of the DEI committee.
“My background and family dynamic have shaped who I am today,” emphasized Valerie. “I think I can bring a uniqueness to the table as far as understanding why it is important to have DEI established at this school.”
Over her 33 years at the Falk School, Valerie has thoroughly enjoyed teaching all her students and takes pride in the positive impact she’s made on each of their lives. When asked what the most rewarding part of her role is, she said with a smile, “Staying in contact with my former students, who are now in their 30’s and 40’s with their own families and seeing them grow into successful adults.”