James Valerio

Breaking Barriers

My journey from a small village in southern Belize to the classroom.

James Valerio in graduation gown holding his Master's degree certificate

Where I Come From

I was born in Belize, the seventh of ten children, and grew up in a small village in southern Belize. Life was simple, but my dreams were anything but small. I learned early that opportunities do not always come looking for you. Sometimes, you have to create them.

I became the only one of my parents’ ten children to earn a university degree. It remains one of the most meaningful milestones of my life, not because it makes me better than my brothers and sisters, but because it represents the barriers I had to overcome and the possibilities that education created for me.

Education

  • Master of Arts in Leadership in Education, with MeritLiverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom
  • Bachelor of Science in English EducationUniversity of Belize
  • Associate Degree in SociologyEcumenical Junior College

Teaching and Service

I have taught in Belize and had the opportunity to teach English in Taiwan, which showed me that students everywhere share the same hopes: to learn, to succeed, to be understood, and to have someone believe in them.

Today I am an English Lecturer at Independence Junior College, helping young people strengthen their writing, think critically, and prepare for life beyond college. I also serve as a Justice of the Peace in Belize and have been involved in community leadership and youth development, including education, sports and coaching.

Awards and Recognition

  • Outstanding Secondary School Teacher Award, 2024–2025Stann Creek District Education Council
  • Teacher of the YearBelmopan Baptist High School
  • Youth for the Future, Youth in Media awards
  • Recognition for coaching and teaching excellence

Celebrating Two Milestones

In 2026, James earned his Master of Arts with Merit in Leadership in Education from Liverpool John Moores University, and published his first novel.

“Do not allow your circumstances to convince you that your dreams are too big.”

Where you begin does not have to determine where you finish. My story is still being written, and I am still discovering how far the journey can take me.

Why I Wrote This Book

The Hidden Secret of the Young Village Girls was written with a purpose beyond entertainment: to encourage young people to think carefully about the choices they make, and to understand that every decision can carry consequences, for them and for their families.

It is not meant to judge young people for making mistakes, but to help them learn from the experiences of others. It also encourages parents, teachers and communities to talk openly with young people, who need guidance and someone they can trust.

A mistake does not have to define a person’s life, but learning before making the mistake can change everything.

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