Head of School
Executive Director
2010 - 2018
“The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.”
Antigua Green School
Dream it.
The Antigua Green School dream began back in 2007 when my good friend, Hanna Anderson, introduced me to the philosophy and pedagogy of Maria Montessori. Three years after having opened the first Montessori school in Coban, we opened our 2nd school in Antigua, Guatemala.
My original vision for the Antigua Green School was to build a progressive, bilingual educational environment where each child would be guided by their own curiosity. The schools is designed to support a community striving to build a more sustainable and equitable world.
Build it.
In 2014 we partnered with La Azotea Coffee Farm and began clearing the south end of the farm to realize our dreams of a purpose built facility for the Antigua Green School.
I brought together a team of architects, contractors, investors, educators and parents to design and build new school facilities to align with the U.S. Green School Council standards, and to serve as a modern progressive educational environment with individualized spaces for our Early Childhood, Kinder, Elementary and Secondary School, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
Grow it.
After successfully building the second phase designed to meet international standards, I was able to guide our team through the accreditation process to meet the strict international standards for facilities, staff, and curriculum to become a certified Cambridge International School in 2015.
Between 2010 and 2018 we fostered the growth of the school by opening one new grade per year, achieving an increase in annual revenue by 10x, establishing the school as the community standard for quality, child-centered, and environmentally-focused education in Guatemala.
Child Centered
I believe that children are naturally curious and should be guided by their own interests. As my career developed, I came into contact with the teachings of progressive education theorists, like Maria Montessori, John Dewey, and Sal Khan, and discovered I wanted to be part of what Sr. Ken Robinson calls the “Education Revolution”. I have come to believe that it is time for educators to embrace the ideas of these progressive thinkers and make fundamental systemic changes to the way we educate children.
Community Focused
I draw from my experience as an entrepreneur, administrator, and founder, and understand that it takes dedicated work to bring together a community of people and ask them to share one, united vision for their children’s future. To be a truly successful school leader you must balance the notion that the individualized, student-centered approach is a better way to educate students, while simultaneously asking all stakeholders to get on board with a unifying vision and mission.
Immersed in Nature
I wanted to go beyond simply integrating environmental concerns into a progressive education and decided to open a school designed to utilize modern progressive educational practices and curriculum, and built to meet the standards set by the USGBC’s Center for Green Schools. A passion for environmental education led me to found Antigua Green School, and I dedicated nearly ten years to building and heading it.
Design and Build
As Executive Director I formed and managed a team of architects, contractors, investors, educators and parents in designing and building new school facilities to align with the U.S. Green School Council standards, and to serve as a modern progressive educational environment with individualized spaces for our Early Childhood, Kinder, Elementary and Secondary School, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
As the Founder & Head of School I…
Developed the school’s mission and vision and built a child-centered curriculum based on the Montessori method, that focused on environmental education, was designed specifically for the Antigua community, and met the needs of our students and the standards of the Ministry of Education of Guatemala.
Managed the accreditation process to meet the strict standards for facilities, staff, and curriculum to become Guatemala’s first certified Cambridge International School in 2015.
Designed and oversaw development of policies, procedures, and performance and assessment standards for students, teachers and administration to meet strict standards of the school board, Ministry of Education, and Cambridge International.
Recruited, hired, oriented and trained a team of educators. Mentored teachers and staff to align with the values and goals of the school, to meet performance standards, and to grow professionally.
Developed staff and parent handbooks, created school schedules and calendars, and facilitated and led parent/teacher conferences and the formation of the Parent / Teacher Organization.
Ensured the financial stability of the school by opening one new grade per year, achieving an increase in annual revenue by 10x over 8 years establishing the school as the community standard for quality, child-centered, and environmentally-focused education in Guatemala.
Early Years
Before I began working on the Green School I had founded and/or managed six individual schools, academies and educational nonprofits in Guatemala, Coban, Alta Verapaz, El Hato and Antigua , developing unique concepts designed to meet the needs of each individual community. All of the projects have been financially successful, sustainable and are still in operation. In 2010 I leveraged my experience and knowledge to found the Antigua Green School and foster it’s growth from the initial concept to the leading progressive, green, international school in the country.
I have found meaning and purpose in my professional work through the creative process of building programs, businesses, or institutions from the ground up. I have been fortunate enough to have opportunities to develop my leadership skills as a manager, administrator and entrepreneur, and have worked with several exceptional teams of educators. I find that when given the opportunity to step into the leadership role, the responsibility of building a team and communicating a vision is what truly ignites my passion. I believe that I am most helpful and productive when I have the opportunity to slip into a visionary role, because I find the creative process inspiring.
I consider the Antigua Green School the milestone achievement of my professional career thus far. I was fortunate enough to live in a community that was willing to trust in me and our team to build such a loving, nurturing and successful school environment. I will be forever grateful for the experience, and the opportunity to learn so much.