Maria Catalina Sisay Tziná

Catalina, born in Santiago Atitlán, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Bilingual Primary Education (PADEP) and has worked in various schools including the Maya Language Academy. Catalina received a one-year Linguistics scholarship in Guatemala and now works as a first–grade bilingual teacher at Escuela Oficial Rural Mixta Cantón Xechivoy. She actively seeks support to enhance her students’ educational experiences. Catalina is deeply involved in community activities such as parent school, distance education, and home visits, demonstrating her commitment to holistic education. She was motivated to become a Fellow to expand her knowledge, particularly in technology, and to engage her community in designing projects to benefit student learning. Recognizing the pressing needs at her school, including economically disadvantaged students and families facing various challenges, Catalina is motivated to make a positive impact on her students’ lives.

“Teaching children and playing with them, despite the problems we have, are the most important because those moments with them bring happiness to their life and my life.”

Problem: The school is committed to enhancing the educational process with technology but is hindered by a lack of adequate tools. Catalina’s school has long depended on teachers’ personal devices, which are not only unreliable but also insufficient in number. Despite providing students with access to the internet and basic device skills, it falls short of making a significant impact on their learning outcomes, leaving students at a disadvantage. 

Solution: Catalina’s project has enriched the school’s technology center with laptops, a projector, a screen, and RACHEL. This project has opened up possibilities for students, granting them access to open educational resources. Students can actively engage with interactive materials, encompassing the national curriculum and supplemental programs designed to improve reading comprehension and math skills.