2025 School Year Begins with Promises and High Expectations
The start of a new school year is often filled with excitement but also trepidation, as teachers and students return to old routines and welcome new challenges and changes.
Supplies are delivered, desks are readied, and books prepare to leave the shelves. There are new faces and familiar ones; friends are made and reacquainted. There’s a buzz of fresh energy that is unmatched.
The 2025 school year, which began this week for many Guatemalan students, presents an opportunity for Global Learning Exchange Initiative (GLXiⓇ) — and its participating teachers — to innovate, grow, and face challenges with determination and creativity.
With that in mind, we asked our teachers to reflect upon their expectations for the upcoming school year.
We wanted to share those with you.
A Rich and Motivating Learning Environment
When we spoke with our teachers, they expressed an overwhelming commitment to the overall development of their students and educational quality in the classroom.
They aim to motivate their students to acquire new skills with enthusiasm. GLXi’s teachers know it isn’t just about learning – it’s about meaningful learning. They seek to ignite curiosity and the desire to explore, promoting a rich and motivating classroom environment.
These teachers also shared a desire to innovate in their teaching methods, using technological tools to enhance the educational experience and make a positive impact on their students.
They also considered it essential to establish a close relationship with students’ families, in order to best address the individual needs of each child.
It is clear from these conversations that our teachers are beginning the new year with high hopes and a commitment toward excellence.
In Their Own Words….
“It’s important to foster curiosity and enthusiasm for discovering new things in the classroom.”
“My goal is to motivate my first-grade students to learn to read and write with enthusiasm.”
“I want to leave a positive impact on my students’ lives and be an innovative teacher by applying digital classes.”
“My interest is to get to know the parents of the school population and offer individualized support to each child.”
Strategies to Overcome Challenges
GLXi teachers also understand there will be challenges. These require innovative strategies to ensure effective learning.
The lack of basic resources in some regions, both at home and in the school environment, cannot be ignored. The absence of furniture or clean drinking water has an undeniable impact on the well-being of students.
How can a teacher foster a love of learning while helping students navigate these obstacles? This is a challenge some GLXi teachers face every day. Yet they expressed a desire to meet the difficulty head on.
Additionally, teachers often encounter a wide range of learning styles among students in a single classroom. How can you accommodate the needs of all students when the needs of each are so varied? GLXi’s curriculum is there to help them with that.
Some students start school with a general lack of interest in reading. Obstacles such as these require personalized and creative methods to capture students' attention and promote the development of their skills.
Fortunately, GLXi teachers are prepared and even excited to work through these obstacles. We are grateful to have them in our program!
In Their Own Words…
“I propose starting a ‘parent school’ with the support of community institutions to improve family participation and address issues such as violence and excessive use of technology by students.”
“I will implement activities provided by the GLXi program to strengthen literacy skills in my students.”
Our Promise for the 2025 School Year
GLXi teachers have shown their commitment to education by setting high expectations, designing personalized teaching strategies, and seeking solutions to any obstacles that may arise.
With effort, collaboration, and a student-centered approach, the 2025 academic year promises to be a period of great progress for GLXi students in Guatemala.
We will establish clear and achievable goals, fostering a motivating and dynamic environment. We will work as a team, with commitment and dedication, to provide the best possible educational experience.
We will face the challenges with determination, trusting in each student's ability to progress and reach their full potential. Through the combined efforts of teachers, parents, and students, we will build a path to meaningful and enriching learning.
May this be a year of adventure full of achievements and growth for all!
You can help support GLXi by donating here.