Verónica Sic

Project: Promoting Healthy Eating Habits for the Educational Community 

Quote: ”Conducting a community assessment was impactful as our school had not conducted one for more than 20 years. Through the assessment, we decided to prioritize the existing educational needs in stages. Additionally, we realized our shared vision to provide quality education.”

Favorite Book: Enamórate de ti (Fall in Love with Yourself) by Walter Riso 

Favorite Activity: Playing basketball

About: Verónica knew she wanted to become a teacher in the fourth grade thanks to her kind, hard-working teacher, who always came to class singing with a smile on her face. Due to the lack of opportunities in her hometown in Sololá, Verónica moved to the capital to work and study in the mid-’80s. After working rigorously toward her degree, Verónica received a job offer far from her home community. In 2000, Verónica transferred to a rural primary school in her home community in San Andrés Semetabaj where she quickly realized the school’s low-quality education and its lack of quality infrastructure and classrooms.

Today, Verónica remains at the same school and works as principal and teacher. For more than 25 years, Verónica has worked in education as a teacher and principal in rural public and private schools, a coordinator, and a member of the Quality Commission of her school district. As a leader, Verónica acts as a guide to support those who need it and emphasizes the value of following through with promises. She believes that having patience and tolerance, while working honestly are important qualities of a ConnectED fellow. 

 “I love my job because I see the needs that the school has and look for ways to solve them by implementing projects that involve parents and other institutions. We need to improve the quality of education by getting the necessary resources. That’s why I like to take advantage of every opportunity, I think it’s important to learn and share knowledge with my fellow colleagues.”

Problem: There is a lack of education about nutrition, how to prepare food hygienically, and ways to utilize ingredients to make healthy, sustainable meals. Additionally, the school kitchen is lacking a safe stove for cooking, a hygiene station, and adequate cooking utensils. 

Solution: Verónica remodeled the school kitchen with new stoves, a hygiene station for washing hands and food, storage for ingredients, and trash bins and equipped it with adequate utensils. Students, as well as parents, are learning to prepare food, new recipes, healthy hygienic practices, and how to reduce food waste. Additionally, Verónica received donations of two water filters for the kitchen and oral hygiene kits for all students. Since becoming a Fellow, Verónica also started offering students workshops on violence prevention and safe use of the internet and social media.