Vanessa
Colombia
MY STORY
Like many people, I started my profession with the desire to help society. And although that may sound cliché, there is a lot more behind it.
It all began during my university years, as a diligent girl with good grades and fully dedicated to studying, coming from a traditional family. Suddenly, my family expanded with the arrival of my first niece, who was born with Down Syndrome. Fortunately, this positively changed our lives, and it was at that moment that I clarified my goals and wholeheartedly directed my work towards inclusion.
With my interests and objectives defined, I completed my profession and embarked on a master’s program in what has now become my greatest passion. For several years, I learned and worked with students, teachers, school administrators, and parents on inclusive education. I also had the opportunity to learn from an excellent group of professionals who, like me, dream of quality education for all children.
Indonesia
EAGER TO EXPLORE MORE
After enriching myself with knowledge and experiences in Colombia, I continued with a desire to learn more. In 2014, I began my journey living abroad. My first stop was a few months in the United States, and then, for various reasons, I decided to live in Argentina. There, I worked and learned for four years, gaining multiple experiences as a university teacher and working with parents and children with disabilities.
Argentina
Tailandia
Understanding the educational situations and challenges in another culture broadened my perspective on the necessary actions to ensure equity and inclusion. However, with a desire to explore other cultures, I made several trips to visit different schools in Thailand, Indonesia, and China, which allowed me to learn the true value and meaning of diversity.
CROSSING BORDERS
After feeling that my chapter was concluding in an incredible country like Argentina, I decided to return to my home country to work and contribute to my community in matters of inclusion. For two years, I participated in various projects that greatly enriched me and allowed me to understand the educational context and situation in Colombia.
I had the opportunity to travel to different regions, getting closer to populations and existing challenges, as well as writing professional documents on inclusion and equity for the Colombian Ministry of Education. I worked closely with teacher training courses, school administrators, education secretaries, among others.
La Guajira, Colombia
I continued to pursue one of my great passions and life goals, which is teaching. This time, I returned to the universities that shaped me professionally and that I deeply admire. Education will undoubtedly continue to be one of the activities I love the most and one that I always describe as “my life purpose.
Colombia
During my time in Colombia, I also prepared myself to live in another context, one that would provide me with experiences in another language and culture. Thus, in 2020, I moved to the United States, initially to a multicultural city like New York, and later to the state of Nevada. This new life change made me confront situations outside my comfort zone and daily life, which I am truly grateful for because they have made me more adaptable to life’s challenges. They have also allowed me to understand that every experience brings valuable lessons, shaping our life journey.
Studying and working in English have pushed me to strive for new skills every day, which have undoubtedly helped me grow both personally and professionally. Additionally, I currently lead an audiovisual production company called Cresta Media, which has provided me with countless skills in coordinating and organizing video projects with social impact. I also use these tools in my teaching processes, taking advantage of technology and reaching knowledge through different media.
Estados Unidos
My journey will continue as I work on projects both in Colombia and the United States. My main goal is to keep learning, gathering experiences that enrich me, and appreciating the true meaning of education. This way, I can contribute to fulfilling this fundamental right we all possess as human beings.
To conclude this journey, I firmly believe that by creating social audiovisual content, I can reach more people and raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and equity for diverse populations
Documental: “eSCUELA EN SEQUíA”