Getting to Know Your Neighbor: RaeCee Vallejos: BHS counselor, mother, wife & education advocate

RaeCee Vallejos is a school counselor at Belen High School and is a licensed mental health counselor. She is currently working on attaining her LPCC clinical hours to eventually open her private practice.

RaeCee’s husband, Jeremy Vallejos, works for BNSF. Her daughter, Ceaira, is attending college and working. She has a son, Maverick, who is a third-grader, and is raising her daughter’s little sister, Lizzy, who is in second grade.

RaeCee lives right in the heart of Belen, where she can walk to football games, the fiestas and her local gym.

Q What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

A “I think about my dreams and goals. I envision the life I want and the things I want to accomplish. I take time to have intentional thought about what my purpose is and express gratitude for my current life.

“ I am usually running a million miles, so the car is a great time to force myself to sit in my thoughts and feelings. I lost my Daddy in 2016, so I also find when I am alone in my car, I talk to him a lot.”

Q What is a myth about your profession you would like to bust?

A “I think a common myth about school counselors is that our purpose is to only serve the academic success of our students. The truth is, for a student to find academic success, they first need to feel safe and regulated. They need the basic comforts of health and positive sense of self. A school counselor spends far more time building meaningful relationships than reviewing English scores.”

Q What were you like in high school?

A “Oh, I was a monster! I was very social and outgoing, but I was not the best at following the rules or listening to directions. I was quite the misfit and very rebellious. Shout out to my mom and stepdad. I truly challenged their patience and unconditional love.”

Q What was the best advice you have received and from whom?

A “Oh gosh, I am inspired by far too many people to pick just one, but here are my top three.

“1. During an episode of the BCS Buzz, I was being a lessor version of myself, and Superintendent Sanchez stopped me in my tracks and said, “What are you doing? Don’t you dare water yourself down, be authentic RaeCee, regardless of how others receive you.” It is a wonderful feeling to have a leader support you being your ‘whole self.’

“2. My friend, Jeff Aragon, is notorious for sharing amazing advice and insights with me. He once told me, “Remain humble; do not chase the spotlight. Rather, do the hard work outside of it and the spotlight will find you.” This sits deeply in my heart. It is important we all take time to ensure our intentions are noble. This advice keeps me grounded.

3. My grandma, Dorothy Anderson, always told me, “Suck it up and suck it in.” Anytime I am having a hard day and want to throw in the towel, I hear her ... I hear those words and suddenly I am strong and brave.”

Q What did you want to be when you grew up?

A “I wanted to be a lawyer; however, I am glad I found my way to being a counselor. According to Holland’s Inventory, I definitely stayed in the right wheelhouse.”

Q Who inspires you?

A “In general, I am inspired by those who do not let adversity or strain stop them from pursuing greatness.

“More specifically, my mother, Karen Siegman, who displays unwavering strength and support; my daughter, Ceaira Esquibel, who has more natural wisdom than anyone I know; my sister, Sasha Brooke Sanchez, who is the bravest girl I have ever met; and the wonderful Martha Trujillo, whose heart and spirit is completely beautiful. We should all aspire to me more like Martha.”

Q If you could work any other job for one day, what would it be and why?

A “Yikes, I really love my job, but I guess I would like to have Julia Dendinger’s job. It looks like a lot of work but also super interesting. When I was a kid, my family would call me ‘Conroy Chino.’ Apparently, I was always concerned with everyone’s business, so that would be fitting. Just let me know, Julia. I will shadow you.”

Q What do you do in your free time?

A “I love to dance, especially in the rain. I enjoy going on hikes, I enjoy writing poetry and rap songs, and I really like to bargain shop. I love to work on my yard and I really enjoy going to local community events. I also enjoy spending time with my family and trying new yummy food. Oh, and I love to play cards with my friends (and neighbors) Jessica and Gregg. My husband and I have a standing card night with them and it is a wonderful experience. Some of my favorite conversations and biggest laughs are at that table. Also, Jessica and I always win so that’s great!”

Q What is something about you that most people do not know?

A “While I have spent most of my life in Valencia County and serving my community is one of my greatest passions, most people do not know that I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a therapist for children all over the country. From California to Florida, I have been honored to support the journey of neurodivergent superheroes. I was able to attend the Autism symposium in Utah last year and it changed my life. I am very passionate about bringing awareness and training to those raising and treating individuals on the spectrum.

“Something else others might not know about me is while I had a biological dad who I love greatly and was my best friend, he was not the father who raised me. I was raised by Alan (Corky) Siegman, who turns 70 on Saturday. Corky has been the most wonderful, loyal, helpful and supportive dad anyone could ever ask for. I have been raised by him since I was 10 years old, and he is also the greatest Grandpa to ever walk this earth.”

Q What three books would you take to a deserted island?

A “I would need to take four. (See I am still bad at following directions).

“The “Bible,” “House of Light” by Mary Oliver, “Women Who Run with the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, and the largest book I could get my hands on; not for its content but for its physical purposes.”

Q You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What do you do?

A “I imagine this all the time. First, I would buy about 10 acres near Tomé Hill. I would build a small house for me and my family, one for my parents, one for my daughter and one for my brother and sister-in-law (I really need Bryann to be my neighbor because we do everything together).

“I would then use some of the money to open my therapy practice. I would take my family to Cork, Ireland, and finally I would use the remainder of the money to build and support local resources for rehabilitation, intervention and youth support.”

Q Who is your best friend, and why?

A “I have been blessed with beautiful friendships my entire life. I have had best friends for over 25 years and best friends I talk to 10 times a day. My friendships are abundant, but of all my wonderful friendships, my absolute very best friend in all the world is my husband, Jeremy Vallejos.

“Jeremy and I came from rock bottom together. We struggled through addiction, homelessness, hunger and the very worst of life. We worked together to earn the very best of life.

“You can only make it through those type of struggles with your best friend. Jeremy stuck by my side even after I had abandoned myself. He was there for me when I had nothing. He gave me food when I was hungry, shelter when I was cold, comfort when I was broken. That’s the type of best friend you hold on to, marry and spend your life loving.”

Q What is your favorite song to sing to when you are alone?

A “Currently my favorite song to sing at the top of my lungs is ‘Daydream’ by Lily Meola. If you have not heard it, I highly recommend you go take a listen.”

Q Where is your happy place, and why?

A “First and foremost, the gym. It is the one place I am not a mother, a wife or a counselor — just RaeCee. It’s something special I do just for me. Also, the top of Tomé Hill gives me a beautiful sense of peace, calm and connection to God. Lastly, when I can manage to stay still for long enough, a good snuggle time on the couch with my family is perfection.

Q Have you had a life-changing experience that led you to where you are today?

A “I have not historically talked about it very openly because there is a lot of shame that is connected to addiction. However, I have come to a place in my life where I feel if sharing my experience can help someone else have hope and believe they have the capacity to change, well then, I guess that means more to me than the judgment of others. I want to use my rock bottom as a stepping stone for those who feel they are too far gone. I was pretty much as far gone as it gets.

“When I found the will to change, my entire life began to transform. Pretty soon, I was surrounded by amazing people who believed in me.

“I started working at the Teacher Resource Center as a secretary for Dr. Matt Williams, and he and his team changed my life forever. They believed in me in a way that I had never believed in myself. They encouraged me to pursue my dreams, which meant going to college.

“I earned my bachelor’s degree in human services and sociology in 2021. In 2023, I not only hit my 10 years of sobriety, I earned my master’s degree in clinical counseling with a 4.0 GPA. I wake up everyday living the life of my dreams.”

Q What teacher had the greatest impact on you?

A “Hands down, without a doubt, Mr. (Aubrey) Tucker. Not because he taught me algebra or English, but because he taught me the importance and power of resiliency. It’s interesting because I spend a lot of my time trying to figure out how to teach kids resiliency. It wasn’t in a lesson plan or even so much his words, but it was his actions.

“When he was my principal, he showed me I mattered even though I was not a high achiever. Watching his career, he showed me when you want something, and someone shuts the door on you, you just keep working to find another way in.

“He taught me it’s important to know who I am and what I stand for, so others do not have the power to define me or set limits for me. He continues to be my teacher through his actions. He breaks boundaries, challenges social norms and makes sure the misfits are not forgotten. The best teachers lead by example.”

Q What is your favorite movie and why?

A “‘Ordinary Angels: Based on a True Story.’ I love the idea that a very flawed person who makes mistakes can have such a positive impact on others lives. The idea that it is never too late to be great is a big deal to me. Also, ‘The Pursuit of Happiness.’ Talk about a tearjerker! It presents resiliency and determination at its finest.

Q If you could have dinner with one famous person — dead or alive — who would it be and why?

A “I am going to go with Harriet Beecher Stowe. I imagine it would be a very pleasant and wonderful brunch. I would love to ask her questions and just be around her energy. My son and I read ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ together and when I think about the convictions and strength she had, oh it just gives me chills. I love what she stood for, I love her as an author. I would just love to take her out to eat at the Whistle Stop Café and then a stroll over to Jaramillo for a nice glass of wine.”

Q What are you most proud of?

A “I am so proud of my children! I think the most important thing I can do in my life is raise my children to be good people.

“My daughter, Ceaira, is smart, creative, strong willed and so loyal. She did not make any of the horrible mistakes I made. She is kind and respectful and just all great things.

“My little guy, Maverick, is inquisitive faithful, brave, considerate, patient and funny.

“My little Lizzy has the biggest heart. She is artistic, resilient, courageous, caring and has a shining light of charm.

“I am also very proud to be vice president of the board for the Valencia Shelter Services.

“I am all about manifesting our future, so I am also going to say I am super proud that one day I will be a master therapist thanks to the amazing guidance from my clinical supervisors, Dr. Kurt Wulfekuhler and Carolyn Peck.”

Q How would you like to be remembered?

A “I want to be remembered as someone who understood the value of relationships and the power of love. I want to be remembered as someone who made others feel good about themselves, believe in themselves and supported them in achieving their dreams and goals. I want to be remembered as authentic and real — someone you could be vulnerable with. I want to be remembered as the girl who found the gold in the dirt. I want to be the girl who knew the pains and struggles of the streets, but chose to live her best life and helped others do the same.”