Helen Valiant is currently a kindergarten teacher at Graland Country Day School in Denver, Colorado. After graduating from the University of Vermont, she moved back home to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and taught at Lancaster Country Day School for five years. After gaining valuable experience and knowledge, she packed her bags and moved to Colorado. Helen took the Responsive Classroom four-day course and, after seeing the positive impact in her teaching, quickly took the advanced course as well. Implementing Responsive Classroom strategies and pedagogies has brought so much more joy to her classroom and teaching craft. Working collaboratively with each child and family over the past nine years has been one of the most rewarding parts of her life. Helen enjoys spending time with her family at the beach, going on walks with her husband and two dogs, and traveling with friends and family.