Jamie Van Valkenburg ’13

As a young child, Jamie Van Valkenburg ’13 loved to read . . . kind of. “I’d sit with books, but instead of reading the words, I’d go through and make up my own story, which would be different every time,” she recalls. Creative, yes, but also one of a few things that raised concern for her parents, who took Jamie for testing and learned that she had ADHD and dyslexia.

In third grade, Jamie’s family chose McLean School for the extra support it offered, along with a close-knit, caring community in which to learn and grow. “Before McLean, I’d become very quiet and closed off, which isn’t me at all,” she says. “That wasn’t any one institution’s fault; it was just me battling my own brain in an educational environment more suited for neurotypical kids.”

At McLean, Jamie found what she needed: small classes, reading support and tutoring sessions, physical and occupational therapy, and teachers who made learning fun—like third-grade teacher Ms. Debbie Dosh, “who wore hot pink lipstick and would kiss our papers when we did a good job.” Adds Jamie: “And, boy, did she make sure we knew how to write a paper!”

“All the teachers at McLean go above and beyond to make sure their students are being taken care of,” says Jamie, “whether that means being available for extra help and guidance or lovingly saying ‘come on!’ to get you back on track.”

In this kind of environment, Jamie thrived: she was an AP art student, on the volleyball team, and even ran for student body president—an election she lost. “Yet here I am, years later, running a campaign!” she quips, this time as a candidate for election to the Montana House of Representatives to represent District 84 in Helena.

It’s a twist Jamie didn’t see coming on an already winding path, yet at the same time, it’s as if all roads led her to this opportunity. Jamie first visited Montana in 2016 and, in 2020, moved to Helena to complete her education at Carroll College, where she earned a BA in psychology with a minor in business. 

Her introduction to Montana politics came a few years later, when she worked as the House Judiciary Committee Clerk during the 2023 Legislative Session. “In a nonpartisan position, I kept my true thoughts to myself as I pondered the bills, wondering how I’d vote if I could,” she says. She listened to concerned citizens tell their stories, share their expertise, and fight for their rights. “I fell in love with how beautifully complex everything is, including that everyone gets a say”—including Jamie herself, who added her name to the ballot in January 2026.

When asked how it feels running for office, Jamie is quick to answer: “Terrifying!” she says with a laugh. “I’ve never been a public speaker,” she adds. “I get nervous, which makes me say a lot of words, and I tell myself I’ll just figure it out later. But I’ve been pushing myself every step of the way to be clearer and more concise and am also learning to trust my voice.”

It’s a skill she first began honing in the Upper School at McLean, where teachers model and encourage self-advocacy. “Learning to speak up for myself is something that has been super helpful in adulthood,” says Jamie. “Realizing that you can and should ask for what you need without shame and embarrassment.”

Jamie’s array of work experiences—from retail to youth mental health counseling—combine to give her perspective and compassion that will serve constituents well. “I’ve always been a creative problem solver, which is something McLean instilled and encouraged as much as they could,” she says. “It set me up well to talk about complicated issues with a range of people, including those with different values from mine. If you prioritize community and relationships over problems, more often than not, you arrive at a solution.”

There are many unknowns ahead, but one thing is for sure: much like her six-year-old self, Jamie continues to write her own story.