STEAM 360 Lab

My name is Yvette Marie Acosta, and I am a junior high Language Arts (English) teacher at Latin American School. With over four decades of teaching experience, I have been dedicated to fostering students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Over the past five years, I have also led students to participate in educational programs and competitions such as CODED and BEO, encouraging them to grow beyond the classroom. As I approach the culmination of my career in education, I remain committed to learning and innovation. I look forward to participating in Coded STEAM LAB 360 to further enhance my teaching practices and bring meaningful, engaging experiences to my students.

Rocio Rugamas is a middle school STEAM teacher at Escuela Americana in San Salvador, El Salvador, where she teaches grades 6–8. She designs and implements NGSS-aligned, project-based learning experiences focused on engineering design, robotics, coding, and applied problem-solving. In addition to her teaching role, she leads robotics and student leadership initiatives, mentoring students for STEAM competitions and service organizations. Rocio was selected as a presenter at the STEAM 360 Summit, where she shared best practices in hands-on STEAM education. She is committed to advancing innovative teaching and continuously engages in professional development to expand meaningful learning opportunities for her students.

Philip Matheus Jerônimo Ferreira Alves (Brasília, December 4, 1986) is a biologist, teacher, and education columnist for Jornal de Brasília. Recognized for his pedagogical innovation and advocacy for inclusive education, he has positively impacted students across Brazil. He is the creator of the Sofá do Enem project, which democratizes access to ENEM preparation through a creative and accessible methodology. He was awarded Innovative Teacher by the Ministry of Education (2016) and named Education Talent by the Lemann Foundation (2017). He won the Latino Books Awards (2021) and received the medals Homens de Honra and Três Heróis Brasileiros (2024). He also holds an honorary Doctorate in Education (D.H.C.) and was named Commander for his services to Brazilian education.

I am an educational leader currently serving at Farmingdale College, with a focus on academic management, curriculum development, and innovative learning design. My work emphasizes student-centered education, STEAM initiatives, and the creation of future-oriented learning experiences that promote critical thinking, creativity, and global competencies.

Current college counselor with over 30 years experience in private K-12 international education. Specializing in strategic planning, coaching, use of technology, and connecting teaching to everyday life situations.

Mariana Xanthopoulos Senior Educational Leader | Institutional Management | Strategic Leadership ⸻ Executive Profile Senior educational executive with over 10 years of experience leading a private educational institution. Strong background in strategic planning, organizational development, and team leadership, supported by a solid humanistic and academic foundation. Proven ability to guide complex organizations, drive institutional growth, and build strong educational communities. ⸻ Professional Experience General Director – Saint Mary of the Hills School 2012 – Present    •   Provide overall strategic and operational leadership of the institution.    •   Lead senior management, academic and administrative teams.    •   Oversee institutional planning, governance, and organizational development.    •   Drive academic excellence, community engagement, and long-term sustainability. ⸻ Education Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) Postgraduate Studies in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Torcuato Di Tella University / University of San Andrés ⸻ Core Competencies    •   Executive & Educational Leadership    •   Strategic Planning & Governance    •   Organizational Development    •   Team Leadership & Talent Management    •   Educational & Social Impact Projects

I am a dedicated and experienced high school principal with 35 years of leadership at Latin American School. Passionate about fostering academic excellence, student development, and teacher empowerment. I have a strong background in curriculum design, school administration, and community engagement. I am committed to continuous professional development, having attended multiple educational courses throughout my career.

An accomplished professional with a strong background spanning both the academic and corporate sectors. Specializing in Educational Leadership and Management, my focus is driven by a commitment to excellence and technological innovation. Currently, I serve as Head of Upper School at St. George’s College, Advisory Board Member for NCUK UPC, and President of the Association of IB Schools of Peru (ASCIBP). I bring extensive expertise to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, having held key roles as Coordinator, Educator, Principal Examiner, and Bilingual Examiner for the Digital Society course. In the corporate arena, my experience centers on driving productivity optimization and delivering impactful technological training.

International Educator having led IB schools in Perú and Colombia, currently School Principal at Peruvian North American Abraham Lincoln School.

I am an IT professional, with more than 10 years of experience in technical support, voice and data network support; 15 years in the educational field, as a Computer Science teacher, I have accompanied high school and preparatory students on their journey of learning technology, providing them with the necessary tools for their knowledge and professional development in the world of technology.

I’m a Preeschool Teacher and the one in charge of the Exchange Programs.

Educator with 26 years of experience in Language B and now coordinator responsable of high school and the Diploma Programme of the IB at Lima Villa College

I am the Technology and Innovation Coordinator at Instituto Alpes San Javier, where I lead strategic initiatives that integrate technology, creativity, and innovative pedagogical practices across the school. With 22 years of teaching experience, my work focuses on designing meaningful learning experiences that empower students through STEAM, inquiry, and hands-on exploration. My professional journey combines instructional design, technology integration, STEAM program development, and classroom teaching. I have designed comprehensive STEAM academic programs and have taught English and Science, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to my work with teachers and students. I have been trained at the MIT Media Lab, where I strengthened my expertise in creative learning, maker-centered education, and learning experience design. For the past ten years, I have participated as a presenter and conference speaker at the ISTE Conference, sharing best practices on educational innovation, technology integration, and STEAM. I have also presented at the Scratch Conference, contributing to the international community of creative computing educators. Throughout my career, I have implemented methodologies based on the Maker Movement, developed graphical tools for challenge design, and collaborated in multiple institutional innovation projects that promote meaningful technology integration in the classroom. Additionally, I co-designed and operate the Alpes Preschool Makerspace, a space where children explore creativity, innovation, and problem-solving through real-life, hands‑on STEAM experiences. My commitment is to foster learning ecosystems where curiosity, creativity, and exploration drive deep understanding and future‑ready skills.

I am the Innovation and Educational Improvement Coordinator at Colegio Saint John in the Dominican Republic, where I have worked for over six years leading initiatives focused on curriculum development, school improvement, and international accreditation processes. I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Quality and Improvement from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE).Throughout my career in education, I have worked across both elementary and high school levels, serving as an instructional assistant and later as a teacher in programs such as social-emotional learning (Happy Program) and high school secondary school guidance. My work includes leading international accreditation projects, supporting the implementation of international academic programs, and participating in educational research and innovation initiatives aimed at strengthening teaching and learning practices.

I have been working in education for more than 35 years as a Teacher and as a School Principal. At present, I am the General Director of Unidad Educativa Particular Bilingüe Leonardo da Vinci in Manta, Ecuador, but before that I worked at Balandra Cruz del Sur in Guayaquil Ecuador for 20 years, 10 of which, I was the School Principal.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a specialization in Teaching English at the Escuela Normal Superior de Jalisco. Previously, I completed a degree as an Industrial Technologist, where I developed a strong interest in mathematics and technology—fields that have played a significant role in my professional career. I began my teaching career in 1990, teaching English, Physics, and Mathematics, which allowed me to build a well-rounded academic foundation and extensive classroom experience. In 1996, I joined the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG), working in the High School division. For the past 12 years, I have served as Secondary School Principal at Colegio Lomas del Valle, an institution that is part of the UAG educational system, where I have led academic initiatives focused on educational excellence and the comprehensive development of students.

I’m a dreamer who enjoys to share his ideas of the world to the students who sit through my English and STEAM classes. Hopefully they will learn how to think, research and solve problems while doing it in English by the time my class is over.

Elisami Cedeño is a Software Engineer and Computer Science Coordinator with a Master’s degree in Modern Management. She leads technology strategy and STEAM innovation initiatives within her institution, overseeing robotics programs, AI integration, and digital transformation across K–12 education. Holding international certifications in Software Development, Database Management, Innovative Education, and Generative AI, she combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to design future-ready learning ecosystems that strengthen academic excellence and institutional growth.

I am an ICT and Digital Literacy educator based in Lima, Peru, with 13 years of experience in primary education. I lead the implementation of international curricula while strategically integrating technology to enhance teaching and learning. My work centers on digital literacy, computational thinking, and game-based learning, designing innovative learning experiences that empower students to become confident, creative, and responsible digital citizens. I am passionate about preparing young learners to thrive in an evolving global and digital world.

I graduated in Physics at UERJ – Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro – with a teacher degree, (which we call Licenciatura em Física) 26 years ago. I have two Post grad courses, one from Warwick University and the other from Bath University. I worked at Brazilian schools for a few years before starting at TBS. I have worked at THE BRITISH SCHOOL, RIO DE JANEIRO since 2007 and I am currently the Head of Physics & the Examination Officer, of URCA site.

I am an educator and academic coordinator specializing in English language education, student leadership, and international academic engagement. I work at the secondary level, where I lead initiatives that promote communication skills, global awareness, and innovative learning experiences. I am passionate about supporting student growth through academic competitions, intercultural programs, and international opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom. I collaborate with educators and institutions to strengthen bilingual education, foster professional learning communities, and create meaningful educational experiences. My work focuses on empowering students through language, technology, and collaborative learning while contributing to a strong and inclusive school culture.

I am an experienced and dedicated academic coordinator at Saint Francis College where I play a key leadership role across primary, middle and high school levels. In my position, I oversee academic operations, supervise teaching staff, and ensure the delivery of high quality education throughout the institution.

Anelí Moreno Pastor is an experienced K–12 educator, educational technology leader, and master’s student in Educational Technology based in Mexico. She currently serves as an Educational Technology Coordinator at Irish International School Monterrey, where she leads digital innovation initiatives and supports teachers in the meaningful integration of technology across grade levels. With over ten years of experience teaching art at the secondary level—eight of those integrating Apple technologies into the curriculum—Anelí specializes in designing creative, student-centered learning experiences that balance analog and digital approaches. Her work focuses on project-based learning (PBL), AI in education, digital citizenship, and the development of emotional well-being through technology-enhanced learning. She is passionate about empowering both students and teachers to think critically, create authentically, and use technology as a tool for deeper learning, metacognition, and global competence. Anelí actively designs professional development experiences for educators and develops innovative learning environments that connect pedagogy, creativity, and purposeful technology integration.

I’ve bee a School Principal for the last 7 years at the Instituto Anglo Británico, which is an IB school that offers the PYP and the MYP. Previously, I’ve had roles of Curriculum Director, PYP Coordinator, MYP Coordinator and Academic Coordinator, as well as Elementary English Teacher. I’ve been part of the IB Educator Network since 2011 leading workshops and carrying out school visits as evaluation leader or consultant. My passions include curriculum development, guiding teachers and supporting families.

I am an IT professional and educator with a strong background in computer science, currently managing technology infrastructure and academic operations at Dowal School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.