About Valerie

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Valerie Rivera is a 30-year retired New York State elementary, ELA, and ENL educator. She is also a published poet and children’s book author; her pen name is VA Rivera. 

At 7, Valerie wrote her first poem for a class assignment. Valerie was hooked after the teacher wrote a big red check mark and the words VERY GOOD at the top of her paper! She has been writing ever since. 

A graduate of SUNY Old Westbury and Long Island University C.W. Post College, Valerie is a frequent attendee at The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. Her other superpowers are loving my neighbors and laughing out loud.

Valerie’s poetry workshops are always positive, encouraging, and uplifting. She likes to listen to soft piano music in her spare time, stroll through farmers' markets, and practice yoga with her cats, SweetiePie and Miss Tish.