Open Minds In Action
Becoming a great teacher doesn't stop at certification. Open Minds in Action is GLXi's ongoing professional development program exclusively for teachers who have completed the Open Books, Open Minds certification — Guatemala's Ministry of Education-accredited, 18-session literacy training program. Through monthly workshops, certified GLXi teachers continue growing — deepening their skills, addressing real classroom challenges, and building a professional community that supports them throughout their careers.
What is Open Minds in Action?
Open Minds in Action delivers 12 to 13 workshops per year, each approximately two hours long, covering topics identified directly through student assessment data and teacher feedback. This means every workshop is grounded in what's actually happening in classrooms — not a fixed curriculum, but a responsive one.
Workshop topics include learning difficulties, dyslexia, autism, ADHD, curriculum adaptations, inclusive teaching strategies, and differentiated instruction. Teachers leave each session with concrete tools they can apply immediately.
Who leads it?
Open Minds in Action is led by Andrea Tumax, a psychopedagogy specialist with over ten years of experience supporting children with disabilities and diverse learning needs. Andrea has received specialized training in neurocognitive diversity education in Mexico, Spain, Chile, and Argentina, bringing an international perspective to Guatemala's public school classrooms.
Inclusive education at the core
Inclusive education is not an add-on to Open Minds in Action — it is the foundation. Universal Design for Learning guides every workshop, ensuring that teachers can support all students, including those with learning differences, regardless of resources or class size. This level of commitment to inclusive design is not replicated by any comparable organization working in Guatemala.
Government accredited
Open Minds in Action is officially accredited by Guatemala's Ministry of Education (Resolution DIGEACE AyC/No. 139-2024). Teachers earn official academic credits every year they participate — building credentials throughout their entire career. In a public education system where ongoing professional development is scarce, this is a meaningful and lasting benefit.
Why it matters
Research shows that teacher training only produces lasting results when it continues beyond initial certification. GLXi is one of the few organizations in Guatemala offering structured, credit-bearing professional development year after year — for the life of a teacher's career. The teachers who benefit from Open Minds in Action serve over 27,000 students across 14 departments of Guatemala.
Open Minds in Action exists because great teachers never stop learning.
“Teaching is often poorly paid and undervalued by leaders. It’s time to recognise the impact education has on economic growth and prosperity”
The largest struggle for teachers is not learning new approaches to teaching but implementing them.
Ongoing Teacher Training and Professional Development
Empowering Educators for Enhanced Student Learning Experiences
Research demonstrates that continuous education for educators elevates learner performance and equips teachers with invaluable insights into student learning dynamics. Through continuing education, beginning and veteran teachers can improve content delivery methods and refine their skills to increase effectiveness.
Tailored Workshops for Holistic Teacher Growth
GLXi understands the importance of continuing education and professional development for teachers. That is why we initiated monthly workshops for certified GLXi teachers to instruct on different teaching methodologies and provide them with information, tools, and meaningful activities to address specific areas identified through student evaluations and specific concerns expressed by teachers.
Diverse Topics, Tangible Outcomes
Workshops have covered various crucial topics such as the definition and general characteristics of learning difficulties, warning signs, causes, and consequences in academic, social, and emotional settings, as well as understanding specific learning disorders. These sessions serve as a hub for refining content delivery methodologies and honing pedagogical expertise, resulting in amplified teaching efficacy. Each workshop is usually two hours in length.
Fostering a Community of Support
Beyond knowledge dissemination, our workshops foster a vibrant professional network where educators exchange ideas, share best practices, and cultivate a collective reservoir of insights. This collaborative platform empowers teachers to adapt, innovate, and excel in their educational journey.