Jorge Brown Chavez, Teacher

Jorge Thinks “people who choose to become teachers should be those who were born with the desire to help others as this profession comes with a high degree of responsibility”.

Jorge was born on San Andres Island, a small and peaceful place on the Colombian Caribbean coast, where he pursued his basic studies (elementary and high school). Then he moved to Bogota to study languages at the Universidad de la Salle where he got his Bachelor’s Degree in English, French and Spanish. La Salle is well known for training and providing students with the necessary skills for being a great teacher. Jorge then received a Master’s Degree in Education at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana which allowed him to gain important tools to reflect on teaching and make the necessary changes in order to improve his efficiency.  

Jorge thinks teachers have to give students the essential skills to be active participants in the 21st century. Jorge has learned the importance of teaching children both academic and social skills throughout his 11 year career. The intellectual side can be nurtured by planning learning experiences to promote thinking skills like comprehension, analysis, application of knowledge, inquiry, etc. But the social aspect is also important “it is vital that our students learn how to interact with others in a respectful way, how to resolve a conflict, how to communicate, etc.”  

Seven years ago, Jorge discovered the Primary Years Program (PYP) which truly changed his perspective on teaching. He considers the PYP to be more than a teaching approach, viewing it as a life style which allows us to achieve an environment where individuals make their talents and skills available to their peers and accomplish a more equitable world.

Jorge says, “the most beautiful event I have experienced was when my son was born” being a father has led him to be a better person.