Beyond the Badge, Inside CDCR Video, Rehabilitation

Meet CCWF teacher Genevieve Valenzuela

May 6, 2025

At Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, teacher Genevieve Valenzuela connects with students through shared life experiences.

“(My) parents were just completely dysfunctional, lost,” she explained. “My father was an alcoholic (and our) mother was physically abusive to my sister and (me).”

Growing up in such dysfunction, she and her sister because to run with the wrong crowd and get into trouble.

“(As) teens, we were in and out of juvenile hall, running away,” Valenzuela said. “I found myself homeless and a mother at the age of 15. My mother kicked me out (so) I left with a baby in one arm and my purse in the other. I never went back.”

Finding a better future through education

Watch the video (story continues below):

Undeterred, she found refuge in education.

“I went to night school (and) did everything I possibly could (to) graduate with my class,” she said.

Taking care of a child while going to school was difficult.

“It wasn’t easy. (I was) raising a baby when I was a baby myself, so it was a journey. It was a journey to get there. The day I gave birth, and they put that little baby in my arm, that changed everything. I became someone different.”

Becoming a mother gave her a new perspective and drive to succeed.

“I lived every day to be a better mother to him than my parents were to me,” Valenzuela said. “I changed all my bad ways (and) stopped getting in trouble.”

When she finally graduated, she said it was the proudest day of her life.

“I’ve gone on to earn an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education,” she said. “But (still), my proudest moment was walking across the stage that day. I haven’t thought about it in a long time.”

At her high school graduation, she was alone. Other students had parents and family members supporting them, taking pictures, and sharing in hugs and laughs.

“I went to my graduation by myself. All these moms were there putting bobby pins in their daughter’s hair. Dads were there with balloons and stuffed animals. (So,) I asked this stranger to take a picture of me,” Valenzuela recalled. “I had one of those wind-up cameras you get at Thrifty’s. That picture I keep next to my bed.”

Connecting with students through shared experiences

Genevieve Valenzuela, teacher at CCWF, teaches a class.

“I’m going to be 50 years old next year and that picture is still next to my bed. Anytime I feel lost or like I can’t keep going, I just look at those pictures to remind me of that strong girl I was,” she said. “I bring that to (my job). I share my story (to) deliver a message of change, (and the) power these women have lies within them. (Also), it doesn’t end for them here. They can change their lives and change their path because I changed mine.”

Valenzuela said teaching is important and she loves her job. She also enjoys seeing changes in her students.

“I love when you get that tattooed-face little girl cussing you out and the next month she’s teaching algebra to the new one coming in,” Valenzuela explained. “I love seeing the change, believing in these women (while) helping them believe in themselves.”

Sharing her story is another aspect of improving lives.

“My hope is that my story shows that change is always possible and the strength to create that change lies within them.”

Video by Chris Medina, TV Director Communications Specialist
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.