Difference Maker: Valentina Garcia-Gerdes

By Michelle Hartel: Executive Director

Mountain Youth is humbled to have a unique collection of perspectives from community leaders that serve on our Board of Directors. These leaders bring lived experience, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to uplifting youth across Eagle County. With a charge of increasing youth voice and intentionally creating spaces for meaningful connection, it is critical that input from students, parents, educators, business leaders, and others who champion and support young people steer all aspects of the organization. Because of this inclusive approach, Mountain Youth is incredibly fortunate to have recruited Valentina Garcia-Gerdes, an outstanding educator whose work centers student mental health, equity, and community connection, to serve in a leadership role.

Valentina Garcia-Gerdes has a deeply rooted passion for children, nature, cultural diversity and community. Her family immigrated to the United States from Venezuela in 1980 and she spent her younger years in Indiana and Minnesota before finding her home in Colorado. Valentina initially pursued a career path in journalism where she had an opportunity to volunteer in Denver Public Schools, speaking with classrooms from primary through high school. One of those opportunities led her to collaborate with a high school teacher and her students to create a Spanish student newspaper—a project that amplified student perspectives and strengthened cultural connection..That experience, coupled with volunteering in her son’s kindergarten classroom reading books with children, ultimately led her to continue her education and pursue a teaching license. “It was a full circle moment for me as many members of my family are teachers,” Valentina shares, reflecting on the legacy that inspired her path forward.

Valentina’s commitment to continued learning is further reflected in her recently completed MA in Special Education Dual Endorsement in Culturally Linguistically Diverse Learners and Community Engagement from the University of Colorado. This achievement underscores her dedication to inclusive education and strengthening family–school partnerships. Her work emphasizes community engagement and connecting families with resources and vital programming to foster sustainable, resilient communities. She is thrilled to be working alongside an inspiring network of professionals and students as an educator at Eagle Valley Elementary School (EVES). Valentina is widely respected and trusted by her peers. As colleague Mrs. Rachel Lammers describes, “Valentina is an amazing teacher, passionate dual language advocate, and a caring and collaborative colleague. Her hard work and dedication to EVES is evident in all she does.” Valentina has served at EVES for 11 years and smiles as she shares her biggest highlight—building authentic, long-lasting relationships with students, families, and staff. In a small community, she genuinely appreciates getting to know the families she works with and running into former students and parents around town, a reminder of the lasting impact of her work.

Valentina joined Mountain Youth’s Board of Directors in 2022 out of deep concern for student mental health and a desire to be part of meaningful, community-driven solutions. She reflects, “What I have learned over the years is that Mountain Youth has Eagle County’s youth at the core of our values and supports young people by also valuing the family unit. Our programming—such as Communities That Care, Aprendiendo Juntos, Eat Chat Connect, Move Chat Connect, and now MOYA young adult programming for our 18–25 community members—creates opportunities for connection, belonging, and growth. All of this makes for healthier and happier communities.” Valentina adds that Mountain Youth does an exceptional job of understanding “where the pulse of our middle and high school students is,” which is evident in the agency youth experience as students see their ideas come to life through Valley’s Voice.

Valentina, Mountain Youth continues to be inspired by your leadership, heart, and unwavering dedication to students and families. We are grateful for you and thank you for being a powerful advocate for youth across our community.