By Raquel Armendariz Sucunza, Global Schools Project Lead (Communications)
Monthly, Mentors from the Advocates program by Global Schools Program (GSP) are recognized for the help and support they provide to their mentees. Since the Mentors are formerly graduated advocates, no one knows better than them the efforts it takes to promote and achieve Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in their school communities.
With this in mind, in this new installment of Inspiring Changemaking, we want to recognize Marcela Villan, who was selected as Mentor of the Month last December. In her journey, she has assisted her mentees with their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) work in the classroom, providing them with specific support materials, guiding them along their journey, and connecting them with advocates and mentors worldwide.
Interview with Marcela Villan
Marcela Alejandra Villán is a teacher of English with a bachelor's in the same, a TESOL certification, and several diplomas since 1996. She has worked extensively in the field and is also a teacher trainer. Marcela specializes in Environmental Education and Global Competence. She firmly supports the United Nations 2030 Agenda and PBL as a framework for teaching. She’s a certified Teach SDGs ambassador and GSP Advocate, and her passion lies in advocating for the betterment of education as a whole by supporting numerous organizations that work toward this goal.
Tell us more about your Mentoring role and what it means to you.
Being a mentor has had a significant impact on my career. It has not been an easy job, but it has been more than satisfying. From the very beginning of my mentorship, I have tried to make my mentees' journeys productive. I have tried to set up a good relationship with all of them, set up goals they could take to the classrooms, and give them the necessary tools to achieve them.
Being a mentor is to inspire others, motivate them and support them in their work and that is what I have done with my mentees in connection with the SDGs by showing them my work and connecting them with other mentors and mentees
What has been the best part of working with your Mentees?
The best part of working with my mentees has been getting connected with them virtually and getting to learn from them all as they teach in different contexts and teach different subjects
What achievements are you most proud of?
The achievement I am most proud of is the meeting I was able to arrange with mentors and mentees from Turkey, Spain, Poland, and Nigeria. It was fascinating. We enjoyed the meeting enormously and shared work and expectations in connection with the SDGs.
What is the most meaningful part of your work?
The most meaningful part of my mentorship is becoming a seed of love in this wonderful world. Our World needs us, and it feels great to give a hand to inspire others in the work we need to do to reach the United Nations 2030 agenda!
What is one thing you wish to tell current and future Global Schools advocates?
Being a Global School Advocate myself, what I can tell other advocates is that every single action we do and every single word we say to others counts. Therefore, always make an effort to do and say positive things so that your impact can be greater.
