Poet, translator, teacher, playwright, librettist, and collaborative artist Valerie Martínez was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, primarily at the college level, Martínez has also worked with children, young adults, adults, teachers, and seniors in a wide range of community outreach and educational programs. She is Executive Director of Littleglobe, Inc., a non-profit collaboration of artists working in communities. She was the poet laureate of Santa Fe, New Mexico from 2008-2010.