Team
Team
Our team is comprised of a group of highly qualified interdisciplinary professionals who develop and strengthen the different areas of Edu1st.
We have a team in the United States, internationally, VESS trainers, as well as representatives and agents in the different countries where we have a presence. Our team is comprised of education experts with experience in various areas of education administration and at all levels (preschool, elementary, middle, and high school). They are at your disposal throughout the process of implementing the Culture of Thinking in your school.
Astrid Cordero
Edu1st.VESS Director
Santiago Carrillo
CDO-Chief Development Officer
Santiago Carrillo
USA
Santiago Carrillo directs the company’s growth strategy and leads the support units, including finance, marketing, IT and human resources.
Santiago Carrillo has an MBA from the University of Southern California and more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, finance and technology in international organizations.
Gillian Gavurin
Director of Operations at Edu1st.Preschools
Gillian Gavurin
USA
Gillian has over 13 years of experience in the early childhood industry in the United States. She has played many roles not only within the classroom but also at the managerial level. She began her career as a lead teacher in New York and her career evolved into a special education expert acting as a special education coordinator, disability specialist, and director of operations.
Gillian has a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is an experienced early childhood education professional with extensive knowledge of preschool operations and management. She has held leadership positions as director of operations at a company that operates more than 20 child care centers.
Ana María Fernández
Edu1st Founder and Creator of the VESS Model
Ana María Fernández
USA
Ana Maria Fernandez, Founder, and President of Education First Inc.
Has a BS in Early Childhood Ed. and a Master’s degree in International School Administration from TCNJ University in the USA.
Ana Maria is Edu1st’s Founder and President, she also founded CGB int’l school, The British school in Bogota, Colombia, and is the founder of 6 Early Childhood Centers in Florida, USA. Ana Maria is the author of the VESS (Meaningful live with balance and wisdom) Educational Model, a Master Trainer, a Mentor coach and curriculum designer, and Coordinator for Edu1st.
Ana Maria has over 30 years of experience in the educational field. She is an international advisor for schools aiming to transform education into active sustainable cultures of thinking and learning. In addition, to be a Neuroeducation Postgrad teacher at Barcelona University, Ana Maria is also one of the forerunners, along with the University of Barcelona, of the first Neuroeducation Chair worldwide.
She has dedicated her life working to the improvement of education through the implementation of “Thinking as a Pedagogical Strategy.” An approach to learning that carefully integrates the Visible Thinking approach and all PZ ideas from Harvard University, The theory of Constraint (TOC), the De Bono’s Lateral, and Parallel Thinking strategies, among many others. She is a certified trainer for the De Bono Group on Six Thinking Hats and parallel Thinking as well as for USA Thinking Maps.
Ana Maria has presented her work in various international conferences, including the International Conference on Thinking ICOT held in Malaysia in 2009, in Belfast, 2011, in NZ, 2013 in Spain, 2015, in the USA, 2018; the OMEP int’l conference in Croatia, 2017, various times at LAHC in Latin America among many others.
Besides, she leads the VESS School Network, collaborating with schools in the USA, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Poland, Ecuador, and Spain. These institutions form a worldwide school network of collaboration, training, and inspiration. Ana Maria is leading various action researches at her schools.
Natalia Pinzon
CPO - Chief People Officer and PreK 2 Go Operations Director
Natalia Pinzon
USA
Natalia Pinzón joined the Edu1st team in 2015 as the leader of our Wellness Program, which focuses on promoting health and wellness throughout our Edu1st community. She later became the director of operations for Edu1st.Preschool. When Edu1st opened its new line: “PreK 2 go”, “Virtual or distance preschool” Natalia became the director of this new venture and in turn alternates this role with being a recruitment specialist for Edu1st.Preschools.
Natalia Pinzón has been a registered nutritionist for 5 years and a nutritionist at heart for as long as she can remember. She completed her studies at Cornell University, where she discovered her love of preventive nutrition and wellness.
Later, she trained and specialized in pediatric kidney nutrition while working in the pediatric dialysis center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, which gave her an understanding of child nutrition and how to help children eat healthy in an enjoyable way.
Gilberto Pinzón
Co-Founder of Edu1st, Creator of the VESS Model and VESS Master-Coach
Gilberto Pinzón
USA
Gilberto is a maxillofacial surgeon and university teacher; he also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from AIU University, Florida, United States of America.
As Education First Inc.’s co-founder, organization that operates six schools in South Florida, Gilberto is also involved in the development of educational programs and methodologies, to promote thinking skills, habits, and mental dispositions, used by schools in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.
His leadership in the design and implementation of Education First Inc.’s strategic plan has positioned them as a leading organization in cutting-edge education with a network of more than 120 schools, present on three continents.
Gilberto is certified as an international instructor in Parallel Thinking by “The De Bono Group USA” and Thinking Maps by TM Inc. USA. In addition to being a Neuroeducation Postgrad teacher at Barcelona University, he has also been one of the forerunners, along with Barcelona University, of the first Neuroeducation Cathedra worldwide.
He has also participated, writing articles, in different specialized magazines and books; two of these participations were: the collaboration he did with Barcelona University in one of the chapters of “The Agora of Neuroeducation: Neuroeducation Explained and Applied” book. Also, he is one of the writers of the “A Copernicus Turn to Education” book’s preface by the Copérnico consultancy in Argentina.
Chile
Paulina Fernández
Curriculum Coordinator.
Paulina Fernández
Chile
Colombia
Nicolás Pinzón
Text and audiovisual communications editor
Nicolás Pinzón
Colombia
Nicolas is a Colombian-American writer and video editor who specializes in narratives about outcasts and the marginalized.
His feature screenplay, El Camino, won Final Draft’s Big Break diversity category and was a top 8 finalist (among 7,000) for the overall prize. His screenplays have also reached: the finals of the Alfred P. Sloan Grant, the semifinals of the Humanitas Carol Mendelsohn Drama Fellowship, and the semifinals of the Academy Nicholl Fellowship, among others.
His short film, Beyond Goldenhill, which he wrote, edited, and directed, premiered at the Weyauwega International Film Festival in 2015 to strong reviews.
Colombia
Marco Daniel García
Project Coordinator Edu1st.VESS
Marco Daniel García
Colombia
Marco Daniel García is an Economist and Professional in Government and Public Affairs, having graduated from the Universidad de Los Andes, with knowledge in data processing and analysis, design and evaluation of public policies, public finances, and complementary knowledge in journalism. Experience in the diagnosis of social programs and education. Interests oriented to economic development policies
España
Jose Antonio Fuster Molla
Curriculum Development Edu1st.VESS - Trainer and Mentor - VESS Coach
Jose Antonio Fuster Molla
España
Jose is a VESS trainer, graduated in Mathematics, and with an official master’s degree in High School Education (Mandatory, A-Level, and Professional Training), and Artistic Teaching of Languages and Sports at the University of Alicante. He is certified in Learning Based on Thinking by The Center for Teaching Thinking of Dr. Robert Swartz.
He currently works for Edu1st and at the María Asunta School (Spain), where he is a high school mathematics professor and head of the department of new technologies since 2009.
Argentina
Rima Ediciones
Agent:
Rima Ediciones
Argentina
Contact
Marcelo Rivera
Address
Ramón L. Falcón 242. Lomas de Zamora Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone
+54 1158793392
Chile
Focus
Agent:
Focus
Chile
Contact
Carmen Luz Segura
Address
Los Conquistadores #2159, Providencia, Santiago - Chile.
Phone
+(569) 68496283
Colombia
IDEA
Agent:
IDEA
Colombia
Contact
Creative Support & Education S.A.S
Address
Calle 149 no. 91-20 Bogotá
Phone
+3105545956
Polonia
Thinking Zone
Agent:
Thinking Zone
Polonia
Contact
Maciej Winiarek
España
Denueve
Agent:
Denueve
España
Contact
Néstor Saura
Address
Avenida de Valencia 39 / Molina de Segura, Murcia, 30.500 España
Phone
+ 34 630 160 369
España
Colegio Privado Almedina
Agent:
Colegio Privado Almedina
España
Contact
-
Address
Calle Espliego s/n. Córdoba. España
Phone
+34 957 271979
España
Coaching OnFocus
Agent:
Coaching OnFocus
España
Contact
Eva García
Address
C/ CIDRO, 3 28035 MADRID
Phone
+34 667880126
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Silvana Carpio
Silvana Carpio
USA
Silvana es Formadora y Coach VESS Internacional. Es Licenciada en educación, graduada con altos honores. Con una Maestría en Administración de Negocios con concentración en Recursos Humanos. Su carrera educativa ha sido destacada y como parte del equipo de Edu1st ha sido Profesora en el salón de los 3 años y Directora del Colegio Brickell International Academy.
Claudia Bautista
Brickell International Academy
Claudia Bautista
USA
Claudia has a degree in Early Childhood Education, specializing in arts and entertainment from the Cooperative University of Colombia. Claudia’s passion for teaching developed when she was 17, and since then she has been dedicated to early childhood education. In 2015, Claudia joined Edu1st as a teacher, and she is currently the principal at Smart Beginners Preschool. Her passion for education has motivated her to further study VESS, and now she supports different teams as an International Coach.
Jordi Rodríguez Pérez
Colegio La Purisima Callosa de Segura
Jordi Rodríguez Pérez
España
VESS Trainer, with a degree in Hispanic Philology, and Head of Studies at La Purísima CMT School of Callosa de Segura.
Jordi Rodríguez Pérez has a degree in Hispanic Philology, a master’s degree in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language, and is accredited as a DELE Examiner by the Cervantes Institute. Jordi coordinates the Innovation team and the ICT Digital Backpack Project. He has been a professor of Spanish Language at ESO since 2004 and Head of Studies since 2006 at the La Purísima CMT School of Callosa de Segura.
María del Carmen Mas Fuentes
Colegio La Purísima Callosa de Segura
María del Carmen Mas Fuentes
España
Antonio Doménech Juan
Colegio María Asunta de Castalla
Antonio Doménech Juan
España
Jose Antonio Fuster Molla
Colegio Maria Asunta de Castalla
Jose Antonio Fuster Molla
España
Jose is a VESS trainer, graduated in Mathematics, and with an official master’s degree in High School Education (Mandatory, A-Level, and Professional Training), and Artistic Teaching of Languages and Sports at the University of Alicante. He is certified in Learning Based on Thinking by The Center for Teaching Thinking of Dr. Robert Swartz.
He currently works for Edu1st and at the María Asunta School (Spain), where he is a high school mathematics professor and head of the department of new technologies since 2009.
Patrizia Costales
Colegio Maria Inmaculada de Javea
Patrizia Costales
España
Carolina Perez
Colegio Notre Dame
Carolina Perez
Chile
Marta Aguilera
Colegio Notre Dame
Marta Aguilera
Chile
Marta is a Trainer with a degree in History, certified in Comprehension and Leadership Teaching. She currently works as a History and Social Sciences teacher at the Notre Dame School.
German Lluesma Soriano
Colegio Sagrada Familia (Alzira)
German Lluesma Soriano
España
German has a diploma in Education, specializing in Early Childhood Education, with over 14 years of experience in this field. He is also a VESS Trainer.
German has worked at the María Asunta de Castalla school (Spain), and is currently part of the team of the Sagrada Familia School in Alzira (Spain), where in addition to tutoring a children’s classroom, he is part of the Educational Innovation team, coordinates the Mathematics project, is Community Manager and webmaster, and the person in charge of training faculty on the new technologies.
Purificacion Martinez Giner
Colegio Sagrada Familia (Alzira)
Purificacion Martinez Giner
España
Claudia Parada
Colegio Sagrados Corazones de Manquehue
Ximena Valle
Colegio Sagrados Corazones de Manquehue
Ximena Valle
Chile
Josefina Besoain
Colegio Sagrados Corazones Manquehue
Josefina Besoain
Chile
Maria Josefina Besoain is a preschool teacher since 2006, and an English teacher since 2009. She has been working with preschoolers for over 17 years.
Maria has worked at the Sagrados Corazones de Manquehue school for over 11 years. She is Chilean, a passionate person, with a deep conviction that something new can be learned every day, and that meaningful learning is only achieved when excitement, curiosity, and willingness, are involved, plus a context that allows for learning.
Maria Dolores Hernandez
Colegio Salzillo
Maria Dolores Hernandez
España
Maria Dolores began her professional career in a preschool with children from 0 to 3 years old, where she worked as a tutor for approximately one year. She then began working at the Salzillo school as an assistant teacher, providing support to every classroom on the different subjects.
Maria started as an Early Childhood Education classroom tutor in 2011 with a traditional model. In 2014, she began TBL training and coursework for a degree in English. She completed her TBL training in three years and her English studies in one.
Maria has been implementing a Culture of Thinking for seven years, three as Teaching Based Learning, and three as VESS. She is an initial VESS trainer and is in continuous training.
María Elena Sánchez Serrano
Colegio Salzillo
María Elena Sánchez Serrano
España
María Elena Sánchez Serrano, es profesora de primaria en el Colegio Salzillo – España, hace 20 años.
Amparo Fernández
Colegio Salzillo Bilingual School
Amparo Fernández
España
Amparo is a VESS Coach and Trainer. She has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Murcia, Spain. Amparo is Head of the Mathematics Department in the Salzillo School. She is also a coach in Learning Based on Thinking certified by The Center for Teaching Thinking of Dr. Robert Swartz.
Jose Antonio Egea Sanchez
Colegio Salzillo Bilingual School
Jose Antonio Egea Sanchez
España
Jose has a bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts and a degree in Elementary Education, specializing in English.
For more than a decade, Jose has been dedicated to providing workshops on theater, body language, and communication to professionals in many different fields. For the past 4 years, he has been teaching at the Salzillo School of Molina de Segura in Murcia.
Maria Consuelo Ros Morenilla
Colegio Salzillo Bilingual School
Maria Consuelo Ros Morenilla
España
María Consuelo has been a preschool and elementary teacher at the Salzillo School in Spain for 5 years.
Maria Jose Fernandez Soler
Colegio Salzillo Bilingual School
Maria Jose Fernandez Soler
España
Maria Jose is a Preschool and Elementary Education teacher who works at the Salzillo de Molina de Segura School in Murcia, Spain. “My school is led by brave people who leave their comfort zones and are committed to educational innovation, pursuing education based on comprehension.”
“To me, education is the most powerful means to transform the world, which is why this profession is so important. I think that to move forward, it is essential to educate people with integrity and make sure they assume responsibility as active citizens of their lives.”
“Over my 8 years of experience as an educator, I have been incorporating the VESS philosophy into my classes, or rather, into my life. With the VESS Model, I have found balance when preparing coursework, and learned not to neglect important aspects such as emotions or autonomy.”
Maria Luisa Cases de Lara
Colegio Salzillo Bilingual School
Maria Luisa Cases de Lara
España
Maria Luisa has a degree in English Philology and is a high school Social Studies and English teacher.
Maria is the pedagogical director of the Salzillo School, CEO of the Denueve consulting agency, and coach of the American institution The National Center for Teaching Thinking of Dr. Robert Swartz. Maria leads national and international conferences and seminars on the application of critical and creative thinking in the educational curriculum.
María Rosario Perez Sanchez
Colegio Salzillo Bilingual School
María Rosario Perez Sanchez
España
Head of the Music Department and Director of the “Luis Cases” Choir
Maria Rosario is a VESS Coach and Trainer. She has a degree in English Philology from the University of Murcia. She is a pianist, Senior Teacher of music theory, transposition, and accompaniment, and Music Pedagogy Senior Teacher at the Conservatory of Music of Murcia.
Maria Rosario is a Coach of the Thinking-based Learning certified by The Center for Teaching Thinking of Dr. Robert Swartz. Maria Rosario is also a high school English, language arts, and music teacher at the Salzillo School. She is the Head of the Music Department and Director of the “Luis Cases” Choir.
Maria Teresa Lopez Lopez
Colegio Salzillo Bilingual School
Maria Teresa Lopez Lopez
España
Maria Teresa has a degree in Chemical Sciences, specializing in Industrial Chemistry.
She is a high school science teacher, and currently helps students studying Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Technology.
Maria Teresa has been working at the Salzillo de Molina de Segura school in Murcia, Spain, for 16 years, and her professional life has always been tied to teaching.
Maria Teresa is passionate about her work and understands teaching as a process in which there must be a connection between teacher and students, so they work together to help the students in their learning.
Ana María Conde
Edu1st
Ana María Conde
Colombia
Ana María is an anthropologist, Master VESS Coach, expert in the Restrictions Theory for education, and an international yoga instructor for children.
Ana Maria leads the VESS-related business line, working hand in hand with the VESS International Network schools, and the innovation processes that feed the VESS Model. Ana Maria is also a volunteer at different organizations seeking to positively impact the quality of life of people from different parts of the world through the development of thinking and the acquisition of tools for life.
Camila Pieschacón
Edu1st
Camila Pieschacón
Colombia
Camila is a VESS Mentor Coach, an anthropologist who graduated from the Universidad del Rosario (Bogota, Colombia), and a candidate for a master’s degree in public policies with a specialization in conflict management and resolution from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy (Germany). Camila currently serves as part of the Edu1st VESS curriculum team and the VESS Platform development team. Additionally, Camila is leading an investigation in conflict management and resolution in primary education.
Ana María Fernández
Edu1st
Ana María Fernández
USA
Ana Maria is Education First Inc.’s founder and curriculum coordinator in the United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Preschool Education from the San Buenaventura University in Bogota, Colombia, as well as a master’s degree in International Educational Management from the New Jersey College, United States of America.
She is a certified “Parallel Thinking” and “Six Hats to Think” coach by The DeBono Group USA., as well as a Thinking Maps coach by TM Inc. USA.
Ana Maria is an international consultant, specialized in Cultures of Thinking, wisdom from early childhood, and Thinking as a Pedagogical Strategy.
She has worked in the educational field for over 25 years and has founded two international schools in Bogota, Colombia, and six early childhood education centers in South Florida, United
States. She is a master’s level trainer, coach, and mentor for school leaders and teachers; she is a curriculum designer and is the curriculum director for all Edu1st centers.
Ana Maria has dedicated her work to improve education, through the understanding of the relationship between brain, mind, and education, as well as the implementation of Harvard University’s Project Zero’s visible thinking approaches and cultures of thinking, the Theory of Constraints TOC, DeBono’s Lateral and Parallel Thinking Strategies, children’s philosophy, and the processes of differentiation and inclusion, among many others, with an integral approach to a holistic development from early childhood.
Ana Maria is the VESS educational model author, Meaningful Life with Balance and Wisdom, which uses thinking as a pedagogical strategy and a learning approach that makes an eclectic and careful integration of methods such as visible thinking. This model has inspired hundreds of teachers in more than 100 schools in the United States, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Poland, Ecuador, and Spain, where the VESS model is being implemented.
In addition, to be a Neuroeducation Postgrad teacher at Barcelona University, Ana Maria is also one of the forerunners, along with Barcelona University, of the first Neuroeducation Cathedra worldwide. She also participated, alongside Barcelona University, in one of the chapters of “The Agora of Neuroeducation: Neuroeducation explained and applied” book. Furthermore, she is one of the writers of the “A Copernicus Turn to Education” book’s preface by the Copérnico consultancy in Argentina.
Andreina Story
Edu1st
Gilberto Pinzón
Edu1st
Catalina Izquierdo
Estudio y Consultora FOCUS
Catalina Izquierdo
Chile
Catalina has a degree in Psychology from the Diego Portales University of Chile. She is a VESS Trainer and Coach, with extensive consulting experience in educational institutions.
Claudia Guazzini
Estudio y Consultora FOCUS
Claudia Guazzini
Chile
Claudia is the Director of Educational Innovation at Focus, elementary teacher (UPA), and EM (PUC). She is an elementary teacher. She has been a part of the coordination team of the Grange Infant School for 23 years, with experience in program implementation and in advising municipal establishments, subsidized, and private establishments in school improvement processes. Claudia is a VESS trainer and also a certified Learning Communities trainer.
She has coordinated and been involved in school improvement processes in institutions with high vulnerability rates in communities across the country (Learning with Family Program, Learning Communities). Claudia has also coordinated and been involved in the process of transformation towards a Culture of Thinking in different regions and schools in Santiago, Chile.
Aura Miquel
First Steps International Academy
Aura Miquel
USA
Aura is an International Coach of the Edu1st VESS Curriculum. She has a bachelor’s degree in Preschool Education from Universidad Andres Bello (Venezuela), and 18 years of experience in the field. Aura has had a distinguished educational career. She started as a teacher at Edu1st, and in 2013 she became Director at Edu1st Schools.
Ana Fontaine
Focus
Ana Fontaine
Chile
Ana has a degree in Educational Psychology from the Diego Portales University of Chile. She holds a diploma in Classroom Psychology and Child Psychodiagnostics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.
Ana has 10 years of experience as a school psychologist and has participated in many pedagogical innovation programs focused on the development of skills for the 21st century. Ana is certified by Edu1st with an internship in VESS International Network schools in the United States, she is a coordinator of educational innovation in the VESS schools’ network in Chile, and she is also an education and professional manager associated with Focus Studies and Consulting.
María Izquierdo Rubio
Institucio Les Alzines
María Izquierdo Rubio
España
María lleva 11 años como docente en educación infantil y primaria. Su objetivo principal ha sido estar siempre en constante formación, es por eso que ha realizado muchos cursos de metodologías activas y atención a la diversidad, procurando siempre poner en práctica todo lo estudiado. Su preocupación a lo largo de su trayectoria ha sido la motivación y felicidad de sus alumnos. Hoy en día, es difícil conseguir que los estudiantes retengan los conocimientos para construir su propio aprendizaje y ése es su reto actual, que el estudiante valore que aquello que está trabajando en su momento actual, hará de él una persona competente en un futuro y que si quiere, puede.
Bernardita Diaz
Sagrados Corazones de Manquehue School
Bernardita Diaz
Chile
Bernardita holds a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and she has a master’s degree in Psychopedagogy from the Universidad de Los Andes. She is a VESS Initial Trainer and has 12 years of experience working as an primary teacher at Sagrados Corazones de Manquehue School, teaching elementary levels 1 to 4. Bernardita has been a VESS partner for 3 years, helping teachers of the Sagrados Corazones de Manquehue school. She has used the Singapore Method in Mathematics for 4 years and provided private psycho-pedagogical support for children with learning difficulties.
Anna Leisse
Smart beginners Preschool
Anna Leisse
USA
Anna is a VESS International Coach, with a degree in Preschool Education.
Anna has worked for the company for approximately 5 years. She started as a teacher at Kinovu Preschool, and after 4 years in the classroom, was promoted to Director of Bright Minds International Academy.
Edu1st in the world – Agents
VESS International Network
Agents
