José Valenzuela Email & Phone Number

For over 15+ years, I have been a history teacher in the Boston Public Schools. I continue to use my platform as a teacher to engage students and empower them to change their world. Some of the courses I have taught include: AP Human Geography, Facing History & Ourselves, US History, Civics, World Geography, and World History, among others.In 2012, I founded Boston Youth Wrestling, an organization committed to youth development in Boston through the sport of wrestling. As the organization's President, I organize and lead the Board of Directors, working to create partnerships in order to accomplish our organization's mission: using wrestling as a tool and motivator, BYW teaches youth to successfully overcome socioeconomic challenges that lead to educational gaps, poor health outcomes and negative community relationships, imparting skills such as self reliance, discipline and commitment to others that apply both on and off the mat, in school and beyond. To accomplish our mission, I oversee a staff of 10 individuals that work in our office and on-site, including our Program Director, Director of Girls Development, Ambassador of Mentorship, and several AmeriCorps service members through a partnership with Up2Us Sports. We currently serve 500 youth per year across 17 program sites in schools and community centers in Boston, Chelsea, and Lynn. In 2021, Boston Youth Wrestling merged with Beat the Streets Providence to become Beat the Streets New England serving wrestlers across the NE region in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and soon Connecticut.

Listed skills include Teaching, Public Speaking, Coaching, Special Education, and 13 others.