iEARN-USA is kicking off another cohort of our grant-funded international virtual exchange program, Compañeros de Clase Globales in a couple of weeks! Let's get to know a little more about Ceci and Lara, who are our program facilitators in the United States.

Ceci Laborde is one of our dedicated US Facilitators who will be supporting students and teachers on our virtual exchange program, Compañeros de Clase Globales, this fall. Ceci is a passionate bilingual, Mexican-American educator dedicated to the transformative power of education and development of youth.

With a Bachelor's Degree in Education Sciences, a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology, and a Life Coach Certification, Ceci blends her extensive knowledge to create meaningful change, with a special focus on creating impactful learning experiences. For over eight years, Ceci has taught students in K-12 and higher education in Mexico and the US. Her enthusiasm for education and cultural exchange shines in her work with iEARN, where she eagerly witnesses the positive changes these programs bring to students and educators. Ceci believes a better world begins with the education of a single person and is committed to making a difference, one student at a time.

Lara Vincoli is one of our new US Facilitators who will be supporting and guiding students and teachers on our virtual exchange program, Compañeros de Clase Globales this fall. Lara is a dynamic bilingual educator with extensive experience in teaching, project management, intercultural exchange, and online learning.

Lara Vincoli is a bilingual educator with 13 years of experience in curriculum design, focusing on language proficiency and cultural competency. She taught high school Spanish for 12 years and now facilitates virtual education programs in the EdTech industry. Lara is skilled in language assessment, having served as a rater for the AP Spanish Language & Culture Exam and the AAPPL. She also has experience as a linguist and content reviewer.

Lara holds a Master of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College, with studies in Buenos Aires, Spain, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, and extensive travel in South America. She is passionate about creating meaningful educational experiences and fostering global citizenship.

iEARN-USA's Compañeros de Clase Globales virtual program is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the Bezos Family Foundation. To learn more about iEARN-USA and how to join this or other virtual exchange programs, visit https://projects.us.iearn.org/.

iEARN-USA is a founder and the U.S. center of the International Education and Resource Network. With nearly 5,000 classrooms in 145 countries and virtual exchange projects in 30 languages, iEARN is one of the largest, most experienced non-profit networks enabling K-12 educators and students to engage in global virtual exchange through project-based & collaborative learning. The iEARN model has been cited for impact and reliance through its founding; most recently, the World Economic Forum named the iEARN model one of its top 16 frameworks for the future of education.

The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which brings young people from diverse places together to collaborate and connect through everyday technology. Created in 2015 as a lasting tribute to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the Initiative invests in virtual exchange programs; shares research, resources, and promising practices to improve impact; and advocates for broader adoption. Learn more: https://www.stevensinitiative.org

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

The Bezos Family Foundation supports rigorous, inspired learning environments for young people, from birth through high school, to put their education into action. Through investments in research, public awareness, systems building and programs, the foundation works to elevate the field of education and improve life outcomes for all children.