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LinkedInAlexandra Castro, Teacher & School IB Coordinator
| Country of Origin: | Chile |
| Education: | BA in Education, Montessori and Reggio Emilia Certifications |
Alexandra Castro received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago, Chile , the nation’s premiere university for early childhood education. Then, after having taken a short course in Montessori teaching, she decided to further her studies with a post-graduate Montessori course at MECA – SETON, Montessori Centers Associated, in Chicago Illinois. At MECA she earned a degree in Montessori teaching for 3-6 years old children. Alexandra is very proud of the fact that she learned English, her second language, as an adult during her time in Chicago and not as early as she would have liked. This experience has helped her empathize with the children in her care as they learn their own second language.
Alexandra has been a member of the American Montessori Society since 2000 and has visited many international schools including an enriching experience in China. For the past 9 years she has participated in a variety of IBO accredited PYP workshops. She has gained expertise and understanding of different methodologies such us Waldorf, High Scope, and Reggio Emilia. Her interest in Reggio Emilia resulted from her attending "The Hundred Languages of Children" exhibition and reading the book by the same name. Alexandra has continued to learn about Reggio Emilia and has visited the pre-schools in Italy and their brand new primary school due to open this September.
Alexandra has 20 years of teaching experience at the early childhood level as well as several years in education-related, non-profit organizations. She has taught in her second language throughout her career. She taught for 15 years in a bilingual kindergarten at Santiago College in Santiago, Chile. Santiago College is an internationally renown school accredited by the IB and the European Council of International Schools (ECIS). During her time at Santiago College she was actively involved in the school's PYP authorization process with the IBO and was also the CAS Coordinator for the Kindergarten area.
Prior to her appointment at The Magellan International School, Alexadra was a kindergarten 3 teacher at the International College Spain (ICS) in Madrid, the leading international school in Spain. At ICS she especially enjoyed the stimulation and challenge afforded by the multicultural and multilingual families. In any one year there have been up to 10 different languages spoken in Alexandra’s classroom and English has been not only the second, but the third or even fourth language spoken by an individual student. For the last 4 years Alexandra has also carried the position of PYP Spanish Coordinator. She organized and led the Spanish teaching staff in preparation for the 2008 evaluation visit by the IBO which resulted in a commendation by the same organization for the school's performance and continued quality improvements.
In a classroom with Reggio Emilia and Montessori approaches, where parents are encouraged to participate in a very open and warm atmosphere and where "Learning will happen among happy, motivated and thoughtful children." Alexandra will encourage children to be tolerant and respectful people who, with their knowledge, will be equipped to take action.
Alexandra's interests are education, travel , cooking and being a mom. She has been able to indulge her passions by studying about different teaching methodologies and traveling overseas meeting different PYP schools and teachers in China, Mexico, Spain, Ireland, Canada, Austria, and Holland, among others. Her plans for the future are to continue her studies into Special Needs education, specializing in Dyslexia and language development, and to become a PYP trainer for the IBO.
Alexandra feels a strong affinity to the Magellan International School’s focus on a multicultural, multilingual IB program. She is looking forward to contributing her energy, creativity, and experience and is delighted to be a founding teacher. She is committed to contributing to the MIS community in setting a strong foundation for future growth and success.
