Provide quality education to 1750 youth in Panama

At Enseña por Panamá, we firmly believe in the profound impact that enhancing the socio-emotional skills of our students can have on their overall development. Since 2017, we have dedicated ourselves to crafting and fortifying our social-emotional skills program, witnessing remarkable transformations in the personal lives and academic achievements of our students.

With your invaluable support, we initiated and implemented the "My Active Classroom" seminar, extending its reach across multiple educational communities. This seminar operates through two core initiatives aimed at synthesizing the insights gleaned from our participants' experiences and our ongoing endeavors within their respective educational settings to foster Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL).

Throughout the execution of this initiative, we engaged directly with nearly 320 educators, directly influencing the lives of over 4,500 students. Our SEL program is designed to cultivate a growth mindset and resilience, alongside nurturing a sense of social responsibility, thereby instilling in students an inclination towards systemic leadership. Our aim extends beyond mere academic progress; we strive to empower students to become proactive and introspective citizens, poised to make positive contributions to their communities and nation.

During the training sessions, many educators underwent profound reflections, recognizing the imperative to revolutionize their classrooms and educational environments by exercising clearer leadership and affording increased opportunities to both students and community members. Here are some poignant reflections shared by participating teachers:

- Emphasizing the importance of developing social-emotional skills, including stress management techniques, relaxation exercises, and strategies to cope with stressors.
- Fostering leadership, empathy, and tolerance to equip students with problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and decision-making competencies.
- Advocating for collaborative learning environments where every student actively participates, alongside restructuring classroom dynamics to imbue each student with a sense of significance.
- Recognizing the vital role of active engagement in the educational process and the significance of assertive communication, both verbal and non-verbal.
- Highlighting personal growth in adopting relaxation and active teaching techniques, coupled with effective time management strategies.
- Implementing innovative approaches such as the Metacognition ladder to guide students towards future-oriented learning and leveraging relaxation techniques to enhance classroom experiences.
- Acknowledging the transformative impact of the program on professional development, including self-awareness, receptivity to constructive feedback, and continuous improvement in teaching methodologies.

This project has illuminated the vast potential inherent within educators to drive educational reform and societal change. While many possess remarkable abilities and a genuine desire to effect positive change within their communities, they often lack the requisite tools or support structures. By fostering environments conducive to such learning, we aim to streamline educators' efforts and facilitate collaboration, thereby catalyzing the transformative impact our program envisions.

Moving forward, it is imperative to continue empowering educators with effective tools, offering comprehensive training, and fostering ongoing development opportunities that facilitate feedback loops to refine instructional strategies and enhance efficacy.

Furthermore, this project afforded us the opportunity to engage with our participants and alumni in novel capacities as trainers and organizers within the "My Active Classroom" initiative. This collaborative approach not only enriched the learning experience but also reinforced our commitment to nurturing a community of educators dedicated to advancing educational excellence and societal progress.

Links:

• https://ensenaporpanama.com/