GLORIA BAENA - FOUNDER & EDUCATOR
Gloria graduated from Preschool Education in her native Colombia and moved to the United States in 2014.
For over 30 years, Gloria has been researching language development in children and observing the process of language acquisition and brain development in the classroom. She was motivated to create a program designed to teach young children to read and speak the Spanish language.
Her unique program “Vocalina” (the Vowel Fairy) was born through the practice of phonetic awareness and the use of stories and playful material with the goal of helping children to read, write and speak Spanish. Gloria has written several children’s books that focus on values and self-esteem, such us: La Fiesta del Gorila, Guía Didáctica para trabajar con el cuento La Fiesta del Gorila, La Búsqueda, Los Tres Dinos, Tito el Espantapájaros and El Cangrejo Peregollo.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
In the United States
MIAMI NATURE PLAYSCHOOL
Parent and Child Institute. A space for practicing conscious parenting and to reconnect with nature.
Spanish Teacher - 8 years.
TANGERINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL.
Spanish Teacher for Toddlers, PreK, Kinder and Elementary children.
Vocalina After school program teacher and coordinator – 4 years.
In Colombia
COLEGIO ANGLO COLOMBIANO
Preschool Spanish Teacher. - 8 years.
COLOMBO BRITANICO SCHOOL
Nursery Level Coordinator, Nursery Level Teacher, Spanish Teacher Preschool -16 years.
EL ASOMBRO Workshop
Summer Camp Coordinator- 5 years.
CARLA KINDERGARTEN
Kinder Teacher-4 years.
ABC KINDERGARTEN
Preschool Teacher - 3 years.
TIA NORA KINDERGARTEN
Pre-K Teacher- 2 years.
COLEGIO NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PILAR
First Grade Teacher -1 year.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Literacy and Creativity: Storytelling as a Learning Tool for the main publishing houses in Colombia like Alfaguara, Santillana and Norma. Bogotá and Cali, Colombia
The Joy of Being (Holistic Centre Koradi): personalized sessions with children using stories, metaphors, acting, creative games to help children discover their unique talents and develop a healthy self-esteem. Bogotá, Colombia.
Fables Creators (for children 4 to 7 y.o and from 7 to 12 y.o): A literary creation workshop. Virgilio Barco and El Tintal Public Libraries. Bogotá Colombia.
Private Spanish Tutoring for children interested in learning Spanish with the program Vocalina. Miami, Florida, United States.
Vocalina Summer Camp 2018 and 2019 in Miami, Florida, United States.
EDUCATION
Preschool Education Technician, CENDA (1984) – Cali, Colombia
ADDITIONAL TRAINING (most recent to oldest)
Certified Life Coach, led by Martin E. Orozco, Miami. March 19th 2016.
Certificate of Professional Developments, workshop “Growing Up WILD”, Miami – October 15th2016.
Conscious Discipline Skills Boot Camp, facilitator Jonathan Eastman MS, Miami, Florida – August 20th and 27th, 2016.
Workshop “Concept-Based Teaching, Learning and Instruction”, led by Chris Overhoff. Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Bogotá – February 28th and March 1st, 2013.
Workshop “The teacher as a researcher” led by Asociación Andina de Colegios del Bachillerato, AACBIA. English School, Bogota – May 30th and June 1st 2012.
Workshop “Learning Through Inquiry”, led by Kathy Short. Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Bogota – March 15th and 16th, 2012.
Workshop “Teaching in heterogeneous classrooms'', led by Dra. Rebeca Anijovich. Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Bogotá – February 28th and March 1st 2011.
Workshop “Teaching for understanding”, led by Patricia Leon and Maria Ximena Barrera. Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Bogotá – February 22nd and 23rd 2010.
Primary Year Program Workshop with Miryam Quiñones 2008.
Differentiated Instruction, Dra. Rebeca Anijovich 2008.
Workshop “Teaching and learning in the PYP”, led by Augustín Onsari and Myriam Quñones. Baccalaureat International, Bogotá – November 27th and 28th 2007.
Workshop “Cognitive processes ESL”, Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Bogotá – August 2007.
Literature, "Seminar Affection for Books"- Universidad Santiago de Cali - May 7th and 8th, 2004.
Literature, Art of Story Telling, Comfandi, led by Cuban Writer Mayra Navarro – September 2003.
Art and Literature, Universidad del Valle,led by Maria Cristina Ruiz – January 2003.
The Game for Peace Education, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana – June 12th, 2002.
Counseling Movement and Communication, Universidad del Valle, led by Ivonne Muñoz and Patricia Rivera – September 2001 - June 2003.
Pedagogical Day Asobilca Areas of Social Sciences and Systems, Los Cañaverales School, led by Gonzalo Arango and Maria Elena González - October 24th, 2001.
“That's me.” Motion and Expression, led by Doris T. Litman and Tomas Latin– September 25th, 2001.
Teacher Training: diversity in learning, Universidad del Valle, led by Liliana Tenorio – June 2000.
Approach to written language, Universidad del Valle, led by Blanca Cecilia Orozco – October 1997-June 1999.
Attention Deficit, Attention Deficit Foundation, led by Marina Peña González – 1999.
ANDREA GARCÍA BAENA, MBA - CO-OWNER
Andrea completed her MBA at Florida National University in 2020 and has 6+ years of experience working for multinational companies in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods industries. Andrea has had roles in sales, finance, HR, and admin departments where she has gained a wide business experience. Andrea also has expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting. Working with multicultural teams across the globe Andrea has been able, to easily adapt to new challenges, develop problem-solving skills, and collaborate with people to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Andrea obtained her bachelor's degree from Javeriana University in Bogotá, Colombia.
LINA M. RAMIREZ - CLIENT PARTNER
Lina graduated with a Civil Engineering degree in Bogotá, Colombia, and holds a postgraduate degree in Engineering Management. Throughout her professional career, Lina has led several engineering projects in different cities of Colombia where her main tasks were combined with quality controlling, developing, and presenting bids. Since 2014, Lina has been managing her family business located in Bogotá and the Colombian Caribbean.