The Person Behind the Apple, Chalkboard and Stickers: Erica Valenti

Name: Erica Valenti

School: Wheaton Warrenville South

Subject: Health, First AID and CPR

Grades: Sophomores and Juniors

Wheaton Patch: How long have you been at your current school? How long have you been a teacher?

Erica Valenti: I have been a teacher here for 14 years. I was at Proviso for 2 years before that.

WP: What inspires you to work with children?

EV: This job is always changing and there is always new curriculum. I love high school and I enjoyed it myself. This age group works for me. The subject matter I teach is mental health. It's a class that really develops good life skills.

WP: What is your favorite hobby?

EV: My favorite hobby is being with my kids. We do outside things a lot like going to the park and playing. You get to be a big kid yourself.

WP: What was your favorite vacation?

EV: We hit Disney twice a year. It's a fun trip. I love seeing their faces light up. I like it because we go with my parents; seeing my dad let his hair down is cool thing.

WP: Where did you go to college? Degree?

EV: I went to University of Illinois. I got my bachelors in sports medicine. I went to Elmhurst to meet my teaching credentials.

WP: Who is your role model? Why?

EV: My mom, I look at how she worked and she was always home in the morning s and night. She would have dinners made. My mom could always do those things and maintain it. Her dad was an awesome man in her life and I think she go those values from him.

WP: What is your favorite food? Restaurant?

EV: Italian food is my favorite. My favorite restaurants are Via Bella and Gatto's.

WP:  What is your best birthday memory?

EV: My 30th birthday my best friends and I took a trip to Mexico for 5 days. We went in June and all went down there because we were all turning 30 turning.

WP: What is your favorite music?

EV: 80's music. Bon Jovi is my all time favorite. I don't think I've ever missed a concert when they've been in town. I got some great seats in July. I have been going to the shows since I was 16.

WP: Who is your favorite historical figure and why?

EV: Roosevelt, when I talk about wars and going through depression. And I would relate him to my grandpa. He didn't have to serve in a war because he was farmer. I would have to look back into those times. Greatful for the importance they put on agriculture. Putting forth jobs for Americans. They are just hard workers. Breaking their backs for their families.

WP: When did you get your first cell phone? What was it?

EV: It was bag phone, I was 20 or 21. It was the Motorola bag phone that you had to plug into your lighter. The Smithsonian actually has one of them now.

WP: Do you have siblings? How many? Where in the order are you?

EV: I am the oldest. I have one younger brother who is a golf pro, Jeff Siegmund.

WP: What is your favorite holiday? Why?

EV: We love Halloween. We just decorated this weekend. My kids  love the spookiness and fun.

WP: Did you play sports or do any extra-curricular activities in school?

EV: I Played soccer as a kid. I was on dance team in high school.

WP: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

EV: I wouldn't care where it was as long as I have my family with me.

WP: What is your favorite board game?

EV: Right now, Othello. We're teaching the kids Othello.

WP:  Coke or Pepsi? Or coffee? Tea?

EV: Coke and coffee.

WP: What would you do with $1,000,000?

EV: I would pay off mortgages of our families and give money to cancer charities. I would give some to kid's charities. It would lift financial burdens off our families.

WP: Do you have any pets?

EV: No pets.

WP: What is your favorite childhood memory?

EV: Going to the Michigan cottage. It was 6 Hour drive to the Upper Peninsula. My mom and dad and my brother and I would all go together. We had good meals and played games.