Get to know us!

Welcome to this new section of our newsletter, where we will be doing short interviews with our teachers so that you can get to know them a little better.

We will start with Inmaculada Cano, our Head of Studies for Primary Education.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (name, origin, etc.)

My name is Inmaculada Cano, although I have always preferred to be called Inma. I am Spanish, specifically from Seville, and I come from a family linked to teaching: in fact, both my mother and my two sisters are also teachers. Since I was a child, I have felt very drawn to teaching, as it is a profession I have experienced very closely, and I think that this has marked my own professional path. I consider myself an open and cheerful person, willing to listen and share pleasant moments. I enjoy sports, spending time with my family and travelling to get to know different countries, their gastronomy and culture.

How long have you been at Atalaya?

This will be my second year at Atalaya, and it has been a very enriching experience. Here I have had the opportunity to continue growing both professionally and personally, surrounded by excellent colleagues and great professionals. I am very happy here and I hope to be able to continue learning and making my own contributions to the school for many years to come.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

Since I was very young, teaching has been a fundamental part of my life. As I mentioned earlier, I come from a family of teachers and I always admired the impact they had on the lives of their students, so it was always clear to me that I wanted to be a teacher. That family connection inspired me to follow in their footsteps and go into teaching, where I can share my passion for learning and personal development. In addition, I have always believed that teaching is a continuous learning journey, both for students and for us teachers. The possibility to grow and learn from students, as well as from my colleagues, is something I value highly. In short, it is impossible to get bored in this job!

Specifically, what did you study? What is your education?

I have a degree in Primary Education. As part of my university education, I was lucky enough to do my third year in the Czech Republic and my last year at the University of Virginia in the United States. These experiences gave me a much broader view of different teaching styles and cultural diversity. I continued my education and specialised in Bilingual Teaching and in Teaching Digital Competences and Educational Technology, completing two Master’s degrees. In addition, in order to better meet the educational needs of students, I completed courses in Psychology of Emotional Intelligence, Interculturality and the Treatment of Students with Special Educational Needs. In short, I consider myself a very curious and proactive person, always willing to continue learning.

What do you like most about your job?

What I enjoy most about my job is how rewarding it is to see how students grow, develop and learn. Being part of this process and seeing how proud they are of their achievements and how far they have come is an indescribable feeling. But without a doubt, the best thing is the happiness they transmit and the affection they give you on a daily basis. There is a phrase by Maria Montessori that represents this very well: ‘The teacher who succeeds in making a child learn with joy, has gained a treasure of happiness in their own life’.