As the Coordinator of Innovation at Colegio Simón Bolívar in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, one of my primary responsibilities is to bring teachers closer to the practices and methodologies that define innovative schools worldwide—especially those that effectively integrate Apple technology into their educational ecosystems.
This past summer, I had the opportunity to lead a series of professional development workshops for teachers across all educational levels in our school: preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school. The focus of these sessions was to introduce and explore the foundations of Challenge Based Learning (CBL).
As an Apple Distinguished Educator—advisor, author, ambassador, and advocate—I see my role as both a facilitator and a connector: someone who guides colleagues toward meaningful, student-centered learning experiences that mirror the innovative practices found in Apple Distinguished Schools. We aim to ensure that every teacher, regardless of their subject area, becomes familiar with new pedagogical horizons that place students at the center of the learning process while leveraging technology as a powerful enabler.
In addition to leading these workshops, I will also be working this semester in close collaboration with a high school teacher on the subject of Administration. Together, we will implement CBL in a semester-long project with third-year students (Grade 11). This initiative will allow us to move from theoretical training to practical application, ensuring that teachers and students alike can experience the full cycle of Challenge Based Learning: from identifying relevant, real-world challenges to designing, testing, and presenting actionable solutions.
It is worth mentioning that I have already been piloting CBL for the past two years in my own courses, particularly in Language and Communication as well as Social Sciences. These experiences have allowed me to refine strategies for integrating CBL into different disciplines and grade levels, while also aligning them with 21st-century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving.
By expanding these practices across our institution, we are working toward cultivating a school-wide culture of innovation, inquiry, and social responsibility. It is inspiring to see how teachers from diverse disciplines are beginning to envision their subjects not just as isolated areas of knowledge, but as opportunities to connect students with real-world contexts where their learning truly matters.
I look forward to continuing this journey with my colleagues and students, and to sharing our progress and reflections with the Apple Education Community.
X: @JersonZepeda
Mail: jerson.zepeda@simonbolivar.edu.mx
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