"I Act With Respect"

Karen Smalley Valachovic

"We have also raised almost $10,000 for Autism Speaks, which is a cause very important to us personally."

My name is Karen Smalley Valachovic, I was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, and I am currently a 2nd grade teacher in Cooper City, Florida at Embassy Creek Elementary School. I have been married to my husband Anthony for thirteen years and we have two beautiful daughters.

I have been teaching for sixteen years. I have taught first, second, third, and sixth grades, and loved them all! 2012-2013 was truly special for me, as I was nominated by my peers as our school’s Teacher of The Year.

How did you meet Coach Rich Johns?
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Johns when I had him as a teacher in 3rd Grade, at Geyser Road Elementary School. He is the main reason I wanted to become a teacher myself. He truly made learning fun. I remember third grade very vividly and can only smile when I think about how positively he made a difference every single day.

How did you hear about Act With Respect Always?
Mr. Johns contacted me via school email in hopes of visiting my school to incorporate his Act With Respect Always mission. At my school we are always striving to be better and are currently incorporating the “Have You Filled My Bucket Today” initiative. Act With Respect Always completely ties in with the character traits we encourage daily at Embassy Creek, and we hopefully will see Act With Respect Always in South Florida soon!

How has the Act With Respect Alway mission effected you personally?
My husband is a high school administrator and with both of us in education it is imperative for us to get the message to all students, the importance of character education. If children learn to be selfless, responsible, and respectful when they are in elementary school, it will become a habit and be a natural response, and to literally act with respect always when they become young adults in high school.

Please share with us how you have, or will in the future “Pay it Forward”
Our daughters, as well as our students have always learned that “paying it forward” is the greatest gift you can ever receive and learn to give. As a Student Council advisor, and Relay For Life captain for my school, my students, team and I have raised over $30,000 for cancer research. We have also raised almost $10,000 for Autism Speaks, which is a cause very important to us personally. Our students fundraise and learn what it means to be philanthropic and to give back to the community through these worthy causes. It gives us great pleasure and pride to know they are learning to give of themselves so selflessly.

My husband Anthony and I also spearhead a “Book Buddy” program, which involves his high school football team, cheerleaders, and band, reading to the students at my school. We start off with a reading pep rally in our cafeteria, stressing the necessity of reading, keeping grades up, the importance of sports, and physical activity. We then assign the high school students to the K-5 classes for them to read with one another. Furthermore, each student receives a free pass to that weekend’s football game, gets to join the football players at halftime by running through their giant inflatable helmet onto the field while being announced! This amazing program involves not only the students, staff at both schools, but the parents and community as well. It is truly something special for everyone. Such a wonderful, positive experience the students and parents enjoy every year we do it.

How would you describe the Act With Respect Always mission to others?
Everyone has a job in this world to do better, to be better; To Act With Respect Always. It is our job as adults, parents, and educators to make sure that our students learn to pay it forward. We need to do our part, no matter how small we think it may be. Everyone makes a difference!

Would you recommend Rich to speak about Respect to others?
I would highly recommend Mr. Johns speaking to your school/group. His mission is not only important, but also powerful. His message relates to everyone, not just students. Young, old, black, white, rich, poor, no matter what or who you are, everyone NEEDS to Act With Respect Always.