You know that woman who answers the phone when your mom is trying to call you out for a doctor’s appointment? The one who greets and helps every guest who walks into East High School? The one who answered the phone over the summer for you when you needed info about summer school? The one who graduated from East in 2018? Wait, did you even know she was an East Alumni? Well, her name Is Jocelyn Valadez, and she’s someone every student should know.
What is your position?
“I am the office clerk or the front desk lady.”
How long have you been working for East?
“This is going to be my third year, but my fourth school year working for East.”
What are three things you like about your job?
“I really like having a relationship with the kids. I also the fact that me and the students aren’t that far in age so I can relate to them a lot better than if I was like eight years older. I also like being able to help the kids out, I love the kids.”
What are three things you don’t like about your job?
“I would like to be able to deal with and build better relationships with more kids because there’s only a few that I can really talk to and get along with. Then the others I just don’t really talk to or know much about them because the main office doesn’t get as much traffic as the rest of the school. I also don’t like when it’s slow in the office, when I’m just sitting here because it gets kind of boring.”
What did you do before East?
“Before East I worked at an eyeglass place.”
What’s your favorite part about your job?
“My favorite part Is when kids come to visit me, it gets boring sitting here all day and the kids that visit me make my day better.”
Tell me more about yourself. Who are you outside of work?
“I am married, and I have one son. He is a year and seven months right now. And during the weekend I like to play soccer.”
What high school did you graduate from and where are you from?
“I am from Des Moines; I was born here, and I actually graduated from East.”
Tell me about your parents.
“Both of my parents are immigrants from Mexico. My dad is from Chihuahua, Mexico and my mom is from Durango, Mexico. My mom came here when she was 17 and my dad came when he was 18.”
Do you have any siblings?
“I have a half brother and sister in Mexico, and a brother and sister here.”
Valadez really enjoys talking and getting to know the students at East. She’s very outgoing and love when student’s come to visit her, so whenever you got some free time stop in and have a conversation with her.

Gallery • 3 Photos