Marc Valencia joined the Joyce Preschool board of directors four years ago, after his oldest daughter began school here.

Originally from Chile, Marc moved to the United States when he was in tenth grade, and has spent much of his life traveling and living in many different places. His exposure to traveling has given him a forward-looking perspective, and openness to new things.

Valencia and his family have lived in Minneapolis for the past six years. He sat down to share a little bit about his family, his global perspective, and how Joyce fits into his world.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE JOYCE COMMUNITY?

What I like about Joyce is that there are kids from English speaking, Spanish speaking, and bilingual families. We like for our children to speak Spanish since we go to Chile every couple of years. Conversations are really meaningful when they’re done in a proficient language. And so in Chile, that’s Spanish. It’s my native language.

Joyce also helps kids be good citizens and good people. I’m not a citizen of the U.S. — but I mean it in the sense of good civic participation in any country or neighborhood. And hopefully these kids will become examples of that.

HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT JOYCE?

We were looking for a place where the kids could practice Spanish at the preschool level. Joyce was a great place to come, for them and for us. It became an extended family. It’s more than just a bilingual immersion experience for the kids. It’s also a chance to get to know other parents that have similar interests to give their kids — both immersed, as well as better-ready for kindergarten. It’s a cultural, social, and educational experience all in one.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE BOARD?

It was just a natural fit. I wanted to help in any way I could. And be connected in more than one way to the school’s work, not just as a parent. It was right before strategic planning, the school was looking to expand, and I thought, ‘It would be really good to be a part of this.’

The board helps to guide and support the staff, as well as the work toward making sure the kids are ready for kindergarten and [Joyce is] setting up successful foundations for their school life. It’s also about bringing more funds so kids can get more scholarships.

It’s about stepping out of oneself and thinking about “What did I have that made me fortunate?” and “Let’s make others fortunate by design if we can.”

WHAT IMPORTANCE DID EDUCATION HAVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD GROWING UP?

It was like sustenance. Just like food, it was expected. Just like you get dressed, you study. Education was just a given.

I was lucky enough to come to the U.S. when I was in tenth grade. I knew some English, but [this was a point in my life where I could] learn English and eventually be bilingual. That impacted the way my wife and I eventually wanted to raise our children. I like to think that my wife and I think globally. I’d like for the kids to have that.

There was no question that we would go to university in my family. That should be no question for every kid and every parent for their kid. I was lucky and others aren’t as lucky depending on their background. It would be great to [give other people the opportunity to] do that.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE AT YOUR HOUSE?

Trying to see if the kids can stay asleep a little longer. (They have an early start. Normally, they get up at ten ‘til six.)

But a typical day we spend together. Breakfast together, then playing, snuggling, games, sometimes having playdates, [and] family events. We like to be together and do stuff together. Now as they’re becoming older, [the kids] are also involved in their own activities, like sports and extracurricular musical activities.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING IN MINNEAPOLIS?

We live in Kingfield. There are lots of families with kids, which is really good for our family to build relationships here. We find it critical that we be surrounded by diversity. Different walks and economic levels of life and families. We don’t like sameness.

It’s a city, which we like. We like urban living. But it’s also a fairly quiet and not as hectic of a neighborhood. It’s close to many places, whether it’s downtown, Uptown, or the lakes. And Joyce Preschool. [laughs]

IF YOU HAD AN HOUR FREE TO DO ANYTHING YOU WANTED RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I would travel. That’s not easy in an hour. But I would travel, and go discover a new place — and probably bring the kids along.

WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT DOING WITH JOYCE IN THE FUTURE?

I think I’m looking forward to more. How we are going to serve even more families —but also keep the same quality for the quantity of service. That’s it. Simple as that. How do we get many more children of color and children not of color to be ready for kindergarten and graduate successfully and go beyond and be good people? I’m looking forward to answering that question.