Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Valerie Johnson of Alexandria, VA

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Valerie Johnson. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Valerie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of building—quietly and consistently—a sense of confidence and curiosity in young learners who’ve been historically overlooked. Behind the scenes, I’ve spent my career creating joyful learning moments that help children, especially in under-resourced communities, see themselves as readers, thinkers, and math kids. I’ve used books and storytelling to open doors—connecting literacy with math in ways that feel magical, meaningful, and real. It’s not flashy work, but it’s heart work. And it plants seeds that grow long after the story ends.

Through my Math Champion for Kids initiative, I’m building more than book donations—I’m building a movement. One that brings high-quality, joyful math experiences into Title I schools, one classroom at a time. Every book gifted, every story read, and every spark of recognition on a child’s face is a reminder that this work matters. The impact may not always be visible to the world, but I see it in the way children light up when they realize math belongs to them, too.

A Math Champion is a community hero—an individual, business, or organization that believes every child deserves access to engaging books and experiences that make math feel real, relevant, and fun. The initiative was created to gift math-themed books and provide author visits that spark a love for math through storytelling. So far, we’ve gifted 40 books to kindergarteners at a Title I school, with a goal of reaching 100 students in the next school year. To support or share the campaign, visit https://www.gofundme.com/gift-books-to-title-i-schools. Every donation and share helps us bring more joyful learning into classrooms—and more confident math kids into the world.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Valerie D. Johnson—an educator turned author, and the founder of West Oak Lane Kids, a publishing imprint created to build math confidence and spark joy through books, creativity, and real-world connections. I spent over 30 years as a classroom teacher and math specialist, helping students—especially those in under-resourced communities—see themselves as confident learners. I always thought I’d climb the corporate ladder and become an executive at a Fortune 500 company. I held internships and even landed a management position early in my career, but something was missing. I didn’t feel fulfilled or aligned with my true purpose.

So, I took a leap of faith, earned a master’s degree in education, and began teaching—and that’s where I found my calling. After retiring, I stepped out once again, this time to launch my own publishing company and write children’s books rooted in math, literacy, and joy. I’m not a celebrity. I don’t have a ghostwriter or a publicist. What I do have is a deep passion for kids, a love for storytelling, and a purpose-driven mission to create a legacy of readers, thinkers, and math kids. My work today is simply an extension of what I did in the classroom—only now, I get to make an even greater impact beyond its walls.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationships that most shaped how I see myself began with my mother. She was a college professor, interim president, and—long before that—my very first teacher. She modeled strength, intellect, and quiet excellence. She saw something in me early on: a natural love for learning, a deep care for people, and a sense of responsibility bigger than myself. Her example taught me that education isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. That foundation inspired me to become a classroom teacher, where I could pour into children the way she poured into me.

Later, an administrator saw my gift for connecting with students and explaining concepts in ways that made learning feel joyful. She believed in my leadership before I did, and asked me to teach math to an entire grade level. That moment shifted my lens—I realized I could reach beyond my classroom. Then, a trusted colleague encouraged me to become a math resource specialist. “You’re already doing this naturally,” she said. “You should be leading it.” With her encouragement, I stepped into a role that allowed me to support an entire school and its community.

Each of these relationships helped me see myself differently—first as a teacher, then as a leader, and now as a changemaker who’s expanding that reach through books. They saw potential, purpose, and power in me before I fully claimed it for myself—and I carry that with me in everything I create today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: “You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just take the next step—even if you’re scared. Do it scared, but do it anyway. Your courage will carry you, and your confidence will catch up.”

There were so many moments when I questioned if I was ready or capable. But every time I took a leap, something important grew from it. I’d remind my younger self that even when the path feels uncertain, you may not see it now, but it’s all adding up to something meaningful. Keep going—you’re building something that matters.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to my Math Champion for Kids initiative—no matter how long it takes. My mission is to visit every Title I school I can, gift math-themed books to thousands of students, and build partnerships with individuals, groups, nonprofits, and businesses to make it happen. I want every child to experience the beauty, power, and purpose of math—and to see themselves as capable, curious math kids.

When I was in elementary school, I didn’t see myself as a math person. It wasn’t until I became an educator that I realized—I am a math person. Imagine a world where kids don’t have to wait that long to believe that about themselves. That’s the world I’m working to build—one joyful story, one classroom visit, one child at a time.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. Giving your best—even when no one’s watching or praising—is where true growth and impact happen. It’s about honoring your own standards and integrity, and trusting that your efforts plant seeds that will bloom in ways you might not immediately see. Sometimes the biggest rewards come quietly, but they shape who you are and the difference you make in the world.

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Image Credits
Valerie D. Johnson

Lisa Damico

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