“Innovation doesn’t only apply to technology, but also to the way teachers inspire students to act, think, react and create things that may help them to become better members of our society.” – Mexico | daily edventures

“Innovation doesn’t only apply to technology, but also to the way teachers inspire students to act, think, react and create things that may help them to become better members of our society.” – Mexico | daily edventures:

“Many English teachers in Mexico struggle with the way they encounter English – both as a second and as a foreign language in the country,” says Zayheri Velazquez Carillo. “Additionally, most students who are part of the public school system in Mexico may not have the opportunity to study English at home or after school. So we have to adapt our speech and struggle with different English levels in the classroom.”

But these challenges aside, Carillo,  who has been an English teacher for three years,  works each day to bring her English students as much innovation as she can – even while working with some outdated technologies. She participated in the Partners in Learning Institute in Seattle in 2011, and works as a teacher trainer. “I must share my experience with the other teachers from my state, and show them how they can apply Microsoft tools and engage students in order to innovate their teaching practice and transform learning.”

Using technology is not the only way Carillo innovates in her classroom. She is an advocate of usingmusic in her English class to help students concentrate and organize their thinking. According to Carillo, music “changes the atmosphere in a classroom, and prepares students for a new activity. Besides, each student reacts in a different way. But most of them like the idea of listening music when they are in the classroom. In my opinion, most of the time music makes them feel motivated and willing to learn. I know many people who have learned to speak English because they like to listen to, and sing, English songs.”

Today, Carillo shares how she has advocated for technology in her state’s schools, how collaboration has changed her teaching, and what she thinks all students need to succeed.