Juan Rodríguez Sánchez

Juan Rodriguez Sanchez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogy and Educational Administration. He teaches at Escuela Oficial Rural Mixta Aldea Tixelap, where 388 students attend. In Juan’s community, the majority of people work in agriculture. 

Juan hails from San Juan Cotzal, Quiché, and faced adversity early in life. Despite challenges, he pursued education, working in various NGOs before securing a teaching position. He supports community projects and provides vacation classes to underprivileged students. Juan believes in empowering youth through education and entrepreneurship.

Juan’s interest in the ConnectED Fellows Program stemmed from its emphasis on community-driven initiatives to implement projects fostering holistic development. He emphasizes empowerment over dependency and aims to instill a sense of self-sufficiency in his community.

“In my classes, I motivate my students to become entrepreneurs because then, they can find success and the satisfaction of having their basic needs met to have a better life!” 

Problem: Students lack motivation to learn due to the excessive recycling of teaching resources. The repetitive use of current materials fails to meaningfully impact student learning, resulting in disengagement among students.

Solution: Juan’s educational project has provided SMART TVs and laptops to his school, contributing to improving the teaching and learning experience for both teachers and students. The integration of SMART TVs allows students to access engaging content, including educational videos and internet resources, providing them with a window to the broader world beyond their community. Additionally, the laptops have equipped the school with a complete set, enabling teachers to seamlessly integrate individual technology use into the curriculum.