History teacher Elena Valdez joined the staff of Santa Fe High in 2023. Dr. Valdez teaches AP U.S. history, U.S. history, and geography. 

Dr. Valdez said she enjoys teaching. “There’s never a dull moment. I love having conversations with students about American history and how history informs our current moment,” she said. “I love the content and learning with students.”

She likes her subject because it is exciting and important. “I wish students could understand how vital critical thinking is,” she said.

She previously taught undergraduates at Rice University, where she attended graduate school herself for six years. She also was at UNM for four and a half years. (She goes by “Dr. Valdez” because she has a doctorate degree – a Ph.D. – in English.)

Born and raised in Santa Fe, Dr. Valdez said she always wanted to be an educator of some kind, explaining that her mom is a big reason for her commitment to being a teacher. She looks up to her mom the most, as she was a teacher herself and was a caring mother, which influenced Dr. Valdez to be the same way. 

Her favorite things to do when she is not in school are to go running. She also likes to do art and play with her 3-year-old daughter.