Jorge Valenzuela has served as an educator for the past 14 years and holds both computer science and administrative credentials. He recently accepted a position at Old Dominion University as a graduate teaching assistant and doctoral student in the Occupational & Technical Studies academic program. Jorge is also a National Faculty of the Buck Institute for Education and a National Teacher Effectiveness Coach with the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association.

He has earned the honor of being a distinguished STEM educator by the Teachers College at Columbia University by earning the NASA Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate. Also, Jorge is part of the first littleBits Lead Educator cohort; and a certified Project Lead the Way, Design and Modeling teacher.

In January 2017, Jorge participated as an expert panel member in the U.S. Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus briefing to discuss how federal policy can support the intersection of infrastructure and Career and Technical Education (CTE). Also, his statement is in the bipartisan CTE Excellence and Equity Act press release proposed to support redesigning high schools with more CTE focus.

Previously, he supervised the Technology and Engineering Education program at Richmond Public Schools and served school division priorities with STEM leadership projects that integrate and connect both academic and CTE K-12 classrooms to higher education and the workforce.

Jorge is extremely dedicated to assisting educators to enhance their practice, by conducting effective professional development in the areas of Project-Based Learning, Integrative STEM Education (Computer Science and Engineering), and Backward Design Planning.